held up, headway 7th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden approaching next, went 2nd after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner
chased leaders until lost place 7th, never dangerous after
chased leaders, weakened from 8th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, chased leaders, led again 7th, clear approaching last, easily
behind from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from next
always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
led 2nd to 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, blundered 1st, lost place from 8th, never dangerous after
towards rear, never dangerous
always behind, pulled up before 4 out
behind, headway 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, chased winner from 4 out, ridden approaching next, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until weakened from 8th
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and hit 3 out, no impression after
With last years winner, second, third, 6th and 7th, not forgetting Turgeonev, who was still in with every chance when parting company with his pilot, all renewing rivalry this time around, this is basically a re-run of last years contest. Runaway winner Dark'N Sharp has struggled this time around off his revised mark, but there were definite signs at Cheltenham, that he looked to be on the way back. However, he may struggle this year as he meets all last years victims on far worse terms. Turgeonev, who gave him 16lbs last year, actually receives 6lbs this time around. However, the latter does have something to prove now after a below par effort at Cheltenham. Lord York, runner-up last year, took advantage of a tumbling handicap mark when bouncing back to form, in what it must be said, was a weak Ascot handicap. He can meet Dark'n Sharp on 17lbs better terms this time around and on the book that would be enough to take his revenge. However, he is clearly not as good as he was and may struggle now at this level. Of more interest is Glenelly Gale, who looks to have been trained with this in mind. He is 10lbs better off with Dark'n Sharp this year and confirmed his well-being when returning from a mid-season break to win at Limerick. He looks to be the main threat to Golden Alpha, who will be suited by this sharp, flat track. Still going well when coming to grief at Cheltenham, it is arguable he would have beaten the likes of Risk Accessor and Dark'n Sharp, and granted luck in running here, he is taken to make amends.
