mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost modest 3rd flat
mid-division, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms
tracked front pair, went 2nd before 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed between last 2, not pace of winner from last
mid-division, tracked leaders after 7th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no impression
pressed leader, hit 4 out, lost place before next, weakened before 2 out
behind, outpaced when hit 3 out, never able to challenge
towards rear, struggling before 3 out, never on terms
always in rear, tailed off 3 out
hit 1st, led, hit 4 out, driven and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
mid-division, tracked leaders after 7th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, clear last, stayed on well
NonRunner
A mixed bunch but a competitive handicap nonetheless. Speredek made giant strides last term but, like Somchine, is better on ground with plenty of give. Marracudja continues to frustrate followers but should be placed again while Quite By Chance beat Festive Affair seven lengths in this last year and is 4lb better off, despite being 9lb higher in the weights. Theinval was placed at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring but still looks a few pounds too high. MAX WARD (NAP) goes well fresh and has his favoured ground. He developed into a decent novice last season and should be capable of further improvement.
Theinval (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in last pair, tracked leaders 6 out, outpaced on outer 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Shantou Village (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Max Ward (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden and no extra before last, 4th of 6, 9 1/2l behind Flying Angel (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Quite By Chance 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, carried wide 12th (canal turn), weakened and pulled up before 15th, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Marracudja (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Oliver's Hill (10-3) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Festive Affair (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, hampered 4 out, challenged next, led 2 out, edged right before last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Hammersly Lake (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Calipto (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along before 11th, fell heavily 12th, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.
Somchine 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway an in touch on outside after 5 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no impression with winner flat, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Vaniteux (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Chris Pea Green 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, behind from 6th, blundered badly 9th, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Little Pop 4-1fav (11-7) Led, blundered and headed 6 out, soon lost place, headway from 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Nicolas Chauvin (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Exitas (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden before 3 out, challenged last, kept on to lead post, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Volt Face (11-5) by hd, 11 ran.
Speredek (FR) 10-11fav (10-8) Led and went good gallop, not fluent 3rd, pressed from 6th, mistake and headed narrowly 8th, led again after next, asserting when mistake 3 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Workbench (10-10) by 11l, 4 ran.
