tracked leader until 9th, ridden next, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 8th, reminders and slow next, struggling from 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway 10th, tracked leader next until ridden 2 out, rallied to chase winner flat
close up, headway 10th, joined leaders 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out
led, headed 9th, tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway and close up 6th, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace and lost 2nd flat
jumped right at times in rear, ridden 10th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
Casual Cavalier returned to winning ways at Ayr recently though all his wins so far have been over shorter trips and KNOCKNAMONA (NAP) is preferred. The latter finished runner-up over 3m at Carlisle earlier in the month but won last year's renewal in testing ground and Micky Hammond's charge should make another bold bid only 2lb higher than when last successful. Alf 'n' Dor has placed off higher marks in the past but has been nowhere near his best since returning to action but Loch Garman Aris has shown improved form in a couple of starts over fences, though soft going is a worry for him.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) In touch, slow 6th, outpaced 5 out, headway under pressure after next, led before last, challenged flat, stayed on gamely, won at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Instingtive (10-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) In touch, lost place 4th, slow 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Polo The Mumm (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Knocknamona (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-9) Held up behind, headway after 5 out, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, ridden and unable to quickened between last 2, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Kings Eclipse (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Nobel Leader (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Started slowly, held up in rear, never in contention, 8th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Fact Flow (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bajardo (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Raced wide in touch, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Thomas Blossom (11-12) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Loch Garman Aris (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Started slowly, behind, headway 4 out, went 4th last, stayed on, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Fact Flow (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Hands Of Stone (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 3 out, headway when not fluent last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Thomas Blossom (11-12) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
