prominent, every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up in mid-division, weakened over 2f out
stumbled start, pulled hard in rear, some headway over 1f out, never nearer
led, hard driven over 2f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, not run on
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never a threat
mid-division driven and headway over 2f out, soon no impression
stumbled start, held up in rear, never dangerous
Only one winning favourite in eight previous runnings has obliged. ROUSAYAN (NAP) will probably start somewhere near the head of the betting but can buck the trend. He's been raised only 3lb for winning at Beverley last time and most of today's opposition are struggling for form. That includes Marmarus, who ended last year with a double on the all-weather, while Centre Haafhd's recent placed effort came in a seller on soft ground. Milkwood has won a maiden at Redcar but was well beaten back in a handicap last time and Dr Red Eye looks a bigger threat off his current mark.
Rousayan (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, all out, won at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Border Bandit (9-2) by hd, 9 ran.
Poole Harbour (IRE) 50-1 (9-6) Taken to post early, keen, held up, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 28l behind Evanescent (8-12) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Azrur (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Towards rear, weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 22l behind Hopes N Dreams (9-6) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Dr Red Eye 6-1 (9-7) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Alpha Tauri (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Marmarus 25-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, not much room over 1f out, some headway after, never in contention, 7th of 12, 9l behind Al Khan (9-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Fab Lolly (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 15l behind Dusky Queen (9-2) at York 7f fls hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Breakable 10-1 (8-8) Held up in mid-division, shaken up over 2f out, no headway, 10th of 14, 8l behind In Focus (9-1) at Wetherby 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Millkwood 10-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 19, 7l behind Skinny Love (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Danish Duke (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, soon pushed along and no extra under 2f out, weakened, 14th of 15, 13l behind Henson (9-2) at Roscommon 7f hcp gd in Sep.
Centre Haafhd 8-1 (9-1) Led on rail, ridden and headed 2f out, soon hung left off rail, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Barney McGrew (9-6) at Thirsk 6f sell stks (6) sft.