took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in 6th, niggled along 5f out, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd under pressure over 1f out
took keen hold, tracking leading pair, went 2nd on bit 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along and well outpaced over 4f out, short-lived effort on outside over 2f out
took keen hold, held up in 5th, effort on outside over 2f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leading pair until over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, headway over 2f out, driven into 4th inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
Alan King's runners on the Flat are always worth a second look and CHOCALA looks the one to beat here. He didn't really take to hurdles but was third behind Angel Gabriel and Mubaraza, second and fourth in the Chester Cup on Wednesday, on his return to the level at Ripon and Richard Hughes takes over the reins today. Ashdown Lad is a consistent sort and only found one too good at Nottingham last month but Arr' Kid has only ever won on Fibresand and Sir Frank Morgan reserves his best for the Polytrack. Argent Knight is high enough in the weights now and Sohar and Swinging Hawk are best watched returning from a break.
Argent Knight 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leader until over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 13l behind White Nile (9-6) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Sohar 7-1 (9-4) In rear, steady headway from 6f out, joined leader on bit over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Nov beating Ballinderry Boy (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Chocala (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, no impression in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Angel Gabrial (9-3) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Swinging Hawk (GER) 25-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and soon outpaced 2f out, last of 7, 7l behind Theology (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Ashdown Lad 8-1 (9-9) In touch, joined leader halfway, every chance over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on strongly to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Wannabe Your Man (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Arr' Kid (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride raced wide, always towards rear, reminders 4f out, 13th of 14, 42l behind Litigant (9-5) at Lingfield 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Albonny (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) In rear, headway 3f out, soon pushed along, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 25l behind Perfect Heart (9-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Sir Frank Morgan (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Set steady pace, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind The Quarterjack (8-5) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Storm Hawk (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Awkwardly away in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Presto Volante (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.