mostly jumped right, slight lead until 3rd, chased leader until 5th, chased leaders but under pressure, outpaced 11th, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, plugged on run-in, went modest 3rd final strides
chased leaders out wide, led 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed and unable to quicken run-in, kept on
held up in last trio, some headway on inside 4 out, pushed along and outpaced before next, weakened soon after
chased leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened between last two
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, outpaced 11th, rallied approaching 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, stayed on well
jumped slowly 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, hit 9th, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd next, plugged on in well held 3rd run-in, dropped to 4th final strides, kept on
behind, no chance when bad mistake 4 out, tailed off
off the pace in last pair, jumped slowly 8th, never a factor, tailed off
Native Robin won four times last season and may have found conditions quicker than ideal on his final start at Kempton in March. He is one of the more likely winners of this and Magic Dancer is also respected as he is probably more consistent than most of his fellow veterans. Kauto Riko beat Saint Xavier when last successful at Kelso but that was almost three years ago. BALLYANDY has been harshly raised 3lb for finishing third at Perth but did win off a higher mark over hurdles last season and goes well here so gets the nod as this looks an insufficient test of stamina for Elegant Escape and Broken Quest.
Elegant Escape (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Close up, disputed lead 6th, led 9th, headed 13th, led again narrowly before 15th, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied to press leader 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar beating Wandrin Star (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ballyandy 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway when bumped 8th, challenged 3 out, held flat, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Charlie Uberalles (10-7) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Broken Quest (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leader who went clear 2nd, lost 2nd at 4th, off the pace in 3rd, weakened into modest 4th before 4 out, lost that placing run-in, 5th of 6, 32 3/4l behind Some Chaos (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Kauto Riko (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in last, in touch, left in 3rd 9th, not fluent 4 out, bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Native Robin (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Raced in 2nd, driven along after 6 out, pressed leader 4 out, weakened 2 out, lost 3rd after last, 4th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Killer Clown (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Magic Dancer 13-2 (11-7) Made all, clear before 5th, hit 7th, reduced lead 10th, went left 12th, clear again before 4 out, left further clear next, went left last, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Red Happy (12-1) by 11l, 5 ran.
Saint Xavier (FR) (11-4) 6th of 13, dist behind Motu Fareone (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 6f hvy in May.
My Manekineko 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, slightly detached in rear halfway, took closer order on outer from 3 out and ridden in 5th before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Elle Perfecta (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Another Emotion (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Held up off the pace towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 19th, at Hexham 4m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
