held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, styayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards, held on
in rear, hit 4th and reminders, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, never nearer
close up 4th, jumped right 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, pulled up before next, dismounted
in touch, reminders after 4th, mid-division when hampered and fell 4 out
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
raced keenly with leader, lost place 5th, soon behind
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and effort after next, no impression approaching last
mid-division, pushed along when hampered 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
raced keenly and led, ridden 3 out, hit last, headed final 50 yards, kept on, just held
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression on leaders
in touch, chased leader 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, lost place 4 out, pulled up before next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon behind
Previous course and distance winner Red Perk can round off the card on a high for Richard Guest, whose charge may have the most to fear from the in-form Darkshape and Aston Lad. A move for the unexposed Ballyhale would also be interesting and he is one of the less obvious types to monitor for signs of each-way support. Aston Lad has really found his racing shoes lately and will no doubt have his share of supporters in the betting ring. However, he is 6lb higher than for his recent win at Ayr and looks up against it from the top of the weights. Darkshape hails from a yard that are absolutely flying and it will not be surprising to see this French import go close off what looks a very lenient mark at present. Nevertheless, this is a much stiffer test than the one he faced at Warwick thirteen days ago and his ability to cope has to be taken on trust. Therefore, it can pay to take a more adventurous option with Red Perk, who likes to stride out on a galloping surface and can be guaranteed to revel in the conditions if the ground has cut up severely by the time of the finale.
Aston Lad 4-1fav (11-7) Held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, not quicken run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Euro American (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy.
Fromragstoriches (IRE) (11-0) Tracked leader, blundered 2nd, led 6th, headed 7th, in 2nd and held when quickly pulled up 3 out in race won by Station Island (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl (D) gf in May '04, 5 ran.
Ballyhale (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 12, 19l behind L'Antartique (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd.
Sergio Coimbra (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-6) Held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Vingis Park (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
Mac Dargin (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 29l behind Nine De Sivola (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (D) hvy.
Notanotherdonkey (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake 13th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 13, well behind Datito (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy.
Flake 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened from 3 out, 13th of 16, 28l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Greek Star 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Euro American (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy.
Red Perk (IRE) 13-2jt-fav (10-8) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 17, 14l behind River Mist (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd.
Birdwatch 9-2 (11-0) Led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again 3 out, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Nov beating Indian Star (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Miss Pross 10-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, faded before next, 10th of 17, 21l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd.
Amazing Valour (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Behind, driven along from 5th, headway under pressure 9th, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 8l behind Businessmoney Jake (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Darkshape 5-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, led on bit approaching 2 out, comfortably, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (F) sft beating Amadeus (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Orki Des Aigles (FR) 40-1 (10-6) In touch, dropped rear 3rd, soon pushed along, kept on one pace from 3 out, no impression on winner, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Gardasee (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) hvy.
Le Forezien (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division until 5th, soon behind, 9th of 11, well behind Caesarean Hunter (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) sft.
Batto 20-1 (10-5) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Euro American (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy.
