raced in rear, headway over 3f our, soon chasing leaders, led approaching final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, driven and headway over 3f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly away, in rear, never a factor
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace closing stages
always behind, never a factor
chased leaders, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
led, driven over 5f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
Mark Johnston's Lady Eclair has been the model of consistency, winning four of her six starts and narrowly being beaten at Hamilton on her most recent outing but the handicapper has taken note and a 2lb rise since that run makes resuming winning ways a test for the four-year-old and preference is for DIRAR, who gets the vote with Cosmic Sun rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown improved form of late for Gordon Elliott, winning well at Wolverhampton when last seen on the flat in December and making a successful return to hurdles with a comfortable victory at Listowel earlier this month; he can defy the 7lb rise for his Wolverhampton win. Andrew Balding's Cool Strike disappointed at York two starts ago but runs either side of that give him every chance, while Lochiel has yet to recapture the level of form that he showed in the autumn. Richard Fahey's Cosmic Sun is better than he showed on his reappearance at Haydock last month and has to be considered but it is hard to get away from the in-form Dirar, who can give Gordon Elliott another winner.
Dirar (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Mid-division, improved to 4th halfway, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead and soon clear 2f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Mister New York (8-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cosmic Sun 9-1 (9-8) Always behind, eased, tailed off, 10th of 12, 43l behind Dayia (8-10) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Cool Strike (UAE) 13-2 (9-4) Keen close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Martyr (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Lochiel 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon switched left, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 5th of 13, 10l behind Just Lille (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Lady Eclair (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased winner, ridden 3f out, stayed on, but no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Just Lille (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Buckie Boy (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Always behind, last of 8, 17l behind Gordonsville (9-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Chookie Hamilton 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, hampered on rail 3f out, soon lost place, tailed off and eased, 9th of 10, 35l behind Spirit Is Needed (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Wicked Daze (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out on outside, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Jackday (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
