tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened and headed from over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, brief headway over 1f out, faded and no impression inside final furlong
slowly away and held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon made headway, challenged leader final 110 yards, just denied
midfield, ridden for effort over 2f out, never nearer
led, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along and progress over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on towards finish, gamely
never better than mid-division
in rear of midfield, pushed along over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out
slowly away, always towards rear
tracked leader, ridden for effort over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on at same pace inside final furlong
Flying Moon ended last year with a hat-trick of wins in slower going but is only 2lb higher than when scoring over track and trip. Ayr Poet has more to prove off his current mark while Merricourt disappointed at Musselburgh last time behind TARNHELM. The latter finished a decent third on that occasion and can also confirm latest running with Jungle Book. Chinese Spirit is not badly treated on his return to action but would prefer some cut in the ground.
Merricourt (IRE) 10-3 (9-9) Held up in midfield, ridden 3f out, some headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Perfect Soldier (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Flying Moon (GER) 9-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, led close home, won at Ayr 1m hcp (6) hvy in Oct beating Perfect Swiss (10-1) by shd, 12 ran.
Ayr Poet 3-1 (9-7) Restrained towards rear, ridden and some headway between horses over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 11l behind Perfect Soldier (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Out Of Breath 16-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened soon after, 11th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Deolali (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Langholm (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, tacked over and led from 8f out, driven along and headed 3f out, weakened from over 1f out, 11th of 14, 12 3/4l behind Menin Gate (11-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Corndavon Lad (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, headway over 1f out, badly hampered inside final furlong, ran on late, not recover, 6th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Port Noir (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Jungle Book (GER) 16-1 (9-0) Slightly slow to stride, soon recovered into handy position, tracked leaders travelling strongly 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Perfect Soldier (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Chinese Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Started slowly, held up and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Broctune Red (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tarnhelm 16-1 (8-8) Slowly away, in rear, rapid headway on outside over 2f out, driven to press leaders over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Perfect Soldier (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Kodimoor (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) Went left start, always towards rear, 11th of 12, 9l behind Ustath (9-7) at Thirsk 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
