tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung right and no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish
always behind
tracked leaders, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Surprising to see many of these descend to claiming grade, notably former Horris Hill Stakes winner, Beacon Lodge. He still competes with credit in good-quality northern handicaps and has to be seen as a major player. TOTO SKYLLACHY has featured in the John Smith's Cup and the Royal Hunt Cup in recent weeks so the move to this level must obviously afford him leading claims with race conditions greatly in his favour and he's the preference. Talent Scout has done connections proud this season and was in no way disgraced when his winning run came to a close behind The Rectifier at York and he must be noted once more in his current form. The short-list is completed by Krupskaya, who receives weight all round with Joey Haynes also claiming a very useful 7lb.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Led, headed 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Ashaadd (8-13) at Haydock 7f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Toto Skyllachy 50-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, mid-division, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon behind, 18th of 19, 28l behind Danchai (8-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf.
Ravi River (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 14l behind Chookie Hamilton (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f amat hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Kimbali (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Reluctant to go to post, led to post, reluctant to leave stalls lost all off 12 lengths, behind, some headway over 4f out, never a factor, 5th of 8, 25l behind Dozy Joe (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Extraterrestrial 3-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Jo'burg (9-5) at Doncaster 1m clm stks (5) gf.
Krupskaya (FR) 7-1 (8-9) Raced stands side, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 13l behind Tantshi (9-7) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Talent Scout (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind The Rectifier (9-11) at York 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Kay Gee Be (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 13l behind Able Master (9-13) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Chookie Avon 9-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed last 150 yards, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Barney McGrew (9-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
