behind, driven over 3f out, no headway
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, went 2nd going well over 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily
reluctant and very slowly away, behind, headway from 6f out, disputing 3rd over 2f out until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, well beaten over 3f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, modest 5th over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, brief effort 3f out, soon beaten
pressed leader, lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out
soon settled back into mid-division, switched right and headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, driven over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, struggling final 3f
Competition had a good chance at Haydock last week but again came up short and a first win on the Flat continues to evade Mick Appleby’s charge, though he did finish well ahead of Howardian Hills at Wolverhampton last month. General Brook usually needs a run and didn’t win last year but has tumbled down the weights as a consequence and Rossa Ryan has a good record on the 10-year-old. FILAMENT OF GOLD may also need this but he is a real course specialist who loves to hear his hooves rattle so gets a tentative vote.
Filament Of Gold (USA) 50-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 11th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Red Secret (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
General Brook (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Chased leader 2f, handy 3rd, chased (clear) leader again halfway, closed 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Royal Dancer (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Competition 15-8fav (9-6) Missed break slightly and niggled along, raced keenly in mid-division on outer, moved closer over 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on but no match for winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Corked (9-7) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Howardian Hills (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Sunshineandbubbles (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Boutan 16-1 (9-1) Led over 2f, pressed leader, in front again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Limelighter (9-7) at Windsor 1m hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Grams And Ounces 66-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, held up, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 9, 30l behind Le Musee (9-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Kay Sera 25-1 (8-2) Dwelt towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Horatio Star (9-6) at Bath 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Ideal Grace 28-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Lauberhorn Rocket (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Galileo Jade (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Towards rear, weakened and eased 3f out, 9th of 10, dist behind Affair (8-12) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Sellingallthetime (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lauberhorn Rocket (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Star Command (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Outpaced and always towards rear, last of 10, 21 3/4l behind Reine De Vitesse (9-0) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
River Cafe (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 34 1/4l behind Aleatoric (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f stks (6) pol in Feb.