chased leaders on inside and keen, went 2nd after 2 out, lost 2nd turning in, losing place when hampered went left and saddle slipped last, 6th and virtually pulled up run-in
held up off the pace towards rear, headway approaching the last, kept on run-in
chased leaders out wide, led before 2nd until next, led again before 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed final 170 yards, soon no extra in 3rd
raced keenly towards rear, never a factor
raced on inside, led until before 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd again turning in, chance when untidy at the last, lost 2nd and weakened run-in
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders switched left and driven between horses run-in, going on close home, just held
raced keenly, tracking leader out wide when screwed badly left and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, plugged on run-in, never going pace to get involved
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
soon steadied mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3rd, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up after next
off the pace and always towards rear
mid-division on inside, weakened 2 out
mid-division, towards rear 4 out, rallied chasing leaders and went right 2 out, switched left to inside turning in, went 2nd run-in, led final 170 yards, kept on gamely
chased leaders out wide, not fluent 2nd, mistake 2 out, weakened run-in
off the pace and always towards rear
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4th, outpaced after 2 out, kept on again towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, led next, flattened 4 out, headed before 2 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened home turn
raced keenly towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
off the pace in last pair, not fluent 4th, went badly right 3 out, hit last, passed a few late on, never a threat
NonRunner
Contrapposto has found some form over hurdles and on the Flat but his amateur rider lacks a bit of experience in races of this nature. Toronto beat Harlem Soul at Wincanton in April but was disappointing at Market Rasen over the summer. Phoenix Aquilus remains unexposed over timber and had wind surgery last month while a case can be made for Galahad Threepwood. Great Realisation remains winless but showed promise last season and Rathmacknee was impressive at Fakenham in May. ALTO ALTO just came up short over a longer trip at Ascot less than two weeks ago. His third behind Knappers Hill at Sandown in April has worked out well and he still looks well treated. Last month’s Clonmel winner Hey Johnny looks a danger but Mothill will need to improve again to complete the hat-trick and Master Dancer has gone up 6lb for winning at Stratford, though the third has won since.
Rathmacknee (IRE) 6-5 (11-4) Made all, hit 2 out, soon clear, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May beating High Tech (11-4) by 33l, 6 ran.
Evenwood Sonofagun (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 4th, taken wide before 3 out, ridden and disputing 4th when brought down before last, at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Master Dancer (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Donaire (11-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Toronto (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Mid-division, keen early, pushed along home turn, weakened 2 out, 10th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Pisgah Pike (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Mothill (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led going best approaching 2 out, not fluent at final flight, asserted flat, readily, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Krypton Gold (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Explosive Boy (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Towards rear, no impression 5 out, moderate 7th and pushed along approaching straight, kept on one pace from 2 out, never a factor, 6th of 16, 24 1/4l behind Temptationinmilan (11-2) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Hey Johnny (IRE) 3-1fav (12-4) In touch, a little keen, 4th before 4th, took closer order 2 out, led before last where edged left and not fluent, ran on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Marelly (12-2) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Diamondinthemud (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, pushed along on inner from 2 out, not fluent in 5th last and soon ridden, kept on well into 2nd run-in, not threatening winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Hereditary Rule (11-10) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Platinumcard (IRE) 9-5fav (11-11) Pressed leader, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, faded into 4th flat, 4th of 8, 6l behind Nayati (12-2) at Perth 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Alto Alto (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, pressed leader before last, ridden and led narrowly after last, sustained duel with winner on run-in, headed closing stages, no extra, 2nd of 6, nk behind Dream In The Park (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Harlem Soul 80-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on inside, weakened quickly before 3 out where bad mistake, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Sonigino (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Phoenix Aquilus (IRE) 16-5 (11-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Geometrical (12-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Contrapposto (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and some headway 2f out, 5th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Boom Boom Boom (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Galahad Threepwood 40-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 1st, slow 4th, slightly hampered 3 out, stayed on from last, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Fennor Cross (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Great Realisation (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Towards rear, closer in 7th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Final Endeavour (10-4) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Pepe Le Moko (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, niggled along after 3 out, went third after 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 12, 7 1/2l behind Gin Coco (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Astrophysicist 12-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along and led briefly under 2f out, ridden and no impression on winner 1f out, 3rd final 100 yards, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 7 1/2l behind Molly Kaye (9-8) at Galway 1m 4f hcp hvy in Oct.
Sceptred Isle 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division on inner, some progress 3 out, left 10th next, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 20, 12 1/2l behind One Last Tango (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Alioski 22-1 (10-2) Close up, every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged right and ran on towards finish, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Master Grey (10-10) by hd, 13 ran.
Desert Friend (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, headway 3 out, 5th and no extra before last, 5th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Mofasa (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
