held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division on outside, ridden and headway 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, edged left and kept on same pace inside final furlong
made most, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened quickly
held up, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, plugged on
tracked leader until 12f out, chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, plugged on
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, plugged on
held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, headway tracking leader 12f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, good headway tracking leaders over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd edging left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
There could be a question mark over Claimantakinforgan having the pace for this but the first two pulled well clear when he won at Haydock. Present Destiny ran very well behind a previous winner here in October while the nicely-bred Potters Story bolted up at Worcester in August, though this is obviously a much better race. Less than a length separated BOREHAM BILL and Imperial Eloquence behind Poetic Rhythm at Cheltenham but Ben Pauling’s charge is expected to confirm his superiority and looks to have every chance of picking up the winning thread again. Agamemmon is preferred to Western Ryder and northern raider Senatus of the others.
Agamemmon (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, soon chased leaders, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Nov beating Linenhall (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Bang On Frankie (IRE) Kalanisi gelding out of Shuil Abbey.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not quite able to get back to winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Poetic Rhythm (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Chato (FR) 1-3fav (11-6) Mid-division on inside, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Loud And Clear (11-0) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug.
Claimantakinforgan (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, won at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Global Stage (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Dashing Perk 2-1 (12-1) Mid-div, 9th 1/2way, prog from 5out, wo bef 2out, adv last, kow, cosily, won at Rockfield 3m mdn sft in Nov beating Fightfirewithfire (12-1) by 4l, 12 ran.
Imperial Eloquence (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, pressing for 2nd and edged right over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Poetic Rhythm (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Minella Warrior (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Mid div, 6th 1/2way, prog in 6th 3out, 2nd 2out, cl 2nd & ev ch last, no ex early flat, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Lough Derg Spirit (11-10) at Athlacca 3m mdn gd in May.
Present Destiny (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon challenged, headed inside final furlong, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Coup De Pinceau (11-7) at Ascot 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Senatus (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader, carried wide on bend over 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn (6) gd in Nov beating Wemyss Point (10-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Silver Kayf 4-1 (11-0) Held up in touch on inside, headway over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind King Of Realms (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Western Ryder (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Held up, in rear, on outside and took keen hold, closed 8f out, led over 5f out, hanging left from over 3f out, headed over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Infinite Sun (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Potters Story 4-5fav (10-13) Led 1f, prominent, led 8f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Aug beating Cable Car (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
