held up in last trio, outpaced 4 out, stayed on to take moderate 4th before 2 out, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, switched inside after next, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well, eased towards finish
tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with winner before last
in touch, headway to track leading pair 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same, no impression in clear 3rd approaching last
took keen hold, held up in last trio, mistake 4th, outpaced after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, held up in last trio, some headway to chase leaders when blundered 3 out, weakened next
not fluent 1st, led, not fluent 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened next
Za'Lan fell on his hurdles bow at Worcester while Watt Broderick was pulled up in the Aintree race in which Counsel finished fourth, a long way behind third Moidore. The latter should have few problems confirming that form and will be winning soon but SURAJ will be a tough nut to crack here. Despite showing signs of inexperience Jonjo O'Neill's colt, a decent staying handicapper on the Flat, only gave best after the last at Haydock and will be more the finished article here - he can recoup losses. Take Two was also a winner on the level and is preferred to the once-raced Bells Of Berlin and Dropzone of the others, though this looks a tough start.
Bells Of Berlin 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and no chance with winner 2 out, weakened before last, tailed off, 4th of 6, 42l behind Vasco Du Ronceray (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs.
Counsel (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, headway 5th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 37l behind Handazan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Moidore 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, held in 3rd when mistake 2 out, blundered last, closed on tiring rivals towards finish, almost got 2nd, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Handazan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Suraj 4-7fav (10-12) Towards rear and in touch, took keen hold, jumped right 4th, not fluent 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd flat, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Right To Rule (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Take Two 15-2 (9-7) Awkwardly away, in rear, headway under pressure 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never reached leaders, 5th of 9, 6l behind Anya (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct (flat).
Watt Broderick (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, not fluent next, ridden and weakened after 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Handazan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Oct, 7 ran.
Za'lan (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Prominent when not fluent 1st, chased leaders, ridden and lost place 3rd, 8th when fell 5th, in a race won by Third Half (10-12) at Worcester 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Sep, 11 ran.
Dropzone (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 7th of 9, 26l behind Haymarket (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
