tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
steadied start, held up and keen, headway over 4f out on outer, weakened well over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader and keen, pushed along over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway on inner 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on
mid-division, weakened over 3f out, eased final 2f
York Cliff has been running consistently well in similar grade of late and has to be respected but Mark Brisbourne's gelding may again have to settle for a minor role behind Zalkani, who gets the vote ahead of Chater Knight. The last mentioned is closely matched with York Cliff on their running over course and distance in a seller last month and on that evidence should be thereabouts. Afadan has claims at the weights on official BHB ratings but was well held on his return to the flat at Southwell last time and may be best watched now, while Principal Witness, who is in form, faces no easy task giving weight away all round. The vote then goes to Zalkani, who has an obvious chance at the weights and is taken to resume winning ways.
Principal Witness (IRE) 11-4fav (8-6) Mid-division, hard ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 9l behind Dovedon Hero (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Xacobeo (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance over 1f out, last of 17, well behind Jakarmi (9-1) at Bath 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in Apr.
Zalkani (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden, one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 10, 7l behind Shaunas Vision (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Apr.
Afadan (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Starcross Maid (8-3) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs.
Soviet Sceptre (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway to lead 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Lake Wakatipu (9-0) at W'hampton 2m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr.
York Cliff 7-2 (8-8) Towards rear, driven 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, nearest finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Explosive Fox (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Apr.
Chater Knight (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-0) Always prominent, led and hung left from over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f app sll (6) pol in Apr beating York Cliff (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lazzaz 11-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders to 7f out, soon ridden, weakened 5f out, tailed off when virtually pulled up final 2f, last of 11, well behind Nina Fontenail (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Bevier 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, not much room and lost place over 6f out, soon behind, 12th of 13, 28l behind Kentucky Bullet (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Jul.
Murrieta 33-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Danish Monarch (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f sll (6) gf.
Millkom Elegance 66-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, always in rear group, 10th of 13, 13l behind Libre (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec.
