mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
tracked wiiner until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, chased winner over 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just held close home
held up towards rear, chased leaders on outer over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, just held on
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace
None of these have seen a racetrack yet but Phoenix Returns is a good place to start as Alan Swinbank has won two of the last four renewals of this contest. Any support in the betting should be noted, but HI GEORGE makes more appeal on breeding. His dam won a bumper and Malcolm Jefferson's charge is a half-brother to a couple of winning hurdlers. He gets the nod ahead of Buckshee, who can also boast winning relatives over timber, while the German-bred Optimist is another to keep a close eye on.
Berwaaz (GER) Tertullian gelding out of Birthday Night.
Border Bandit (USA) Selkirk gelding out of Coretta.
Hi George Doyen gelding out of Our Ethel.
I Got Sunshine Grape Tree Road gelding out of I Got Rhythm.
Iktiview Iktibas gelding out of Eastview Princess.
Optimist (GER) Liquido gelding out of Optik.
Phoenix Returns (IRE) Phoenix Reach gelding out of Oscar's Lady.
Ueueteotl (FR) Tikkanen gelding out of Azturk.
Miss Polly Anya Where Or When filly out of Fledge.
Buckshee Sulamani gelding out of Cumbrian Rhapsody.