chased leaders, effort 3 out, staying on same pace when pecked last, no impression
held up in rear, struggling 10th, well beaten before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, some headway when hit 4 out, 6th 2 out, went 4th and stayed on flat, no impression on leaders
chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, outpaced 12th, mistake last, plugged on flat, no impression
tracked leaders, blundered badly and left 2nd briefly 7th, went 2nd again 13th, 4 lengths down when jumped left last, unable to close gap, stayed on
held up towards rear, not fluent 11th, behind when pulled up before next
in rear, slow 1st, awkward and behind from next, continued to lack fluency, well adrift from 9th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th before 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat
chased leaders, went 2nd from after 7th until 13th, no impression on winner from 2 out, stayed on
chased winner, hit 7th, sprawled badly and lost place, well beaten from 3 out
held up towards rear, jumped right and mistake 11th, headway after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression
held up in mid-division, not fluent 8th or 11th, headway 13th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, towards rear when not fluent 8th, well beaten 13th, tailed off
made all, 4 lengths clear 2 out, stayed on well, unchallenged
Nonrunner
A fascinating renewal with five of the first six in the Paddy Power lining up again along with ninth Johns Spirit, who usually goes well around here. We're on the New Course this time and Alan King believes that the more galloping nature of the track will suit Paddy Power hero Annacotty, who had to be ridden from some way out last month before asserting after the last. But so many were in with a chance in the closing stages of that race that it's almost impossible to predict how things will pan out this time. Buywise and Sound Investment weren't beaten far but fifth IRISH CAVALIER, a Festival winner in March, was travelling better than anything turning for home and could be the pick at the revised weights having been given the all-clear following a small injury scare at the start of the week. Venetia Williams won with Niceonefrankie last year and Tenor Nivernais won the same Ascot race in which he was successful previously. Doctor Phoenix is a fast-improving novice who will be suited by the step up in trip while Village Vic has won both starts this season and Richard Johnson rides off the minimum weight, though he's joining battle with some top-class handicappers in this.
Sound Investment (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Johns Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, ridden 4 out, headway after 3 out, jumped left and mistake 2 out, no impression, weakened last, 9th of 20, 26 1/2l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Buywise (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th or 11th, headway 2 out, not much room last, soon switched right, stayed on well, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Annacotty (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mid-division 8th, niggled along 10th, hampered 11th, headway after 3 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov beating Buywise (11-1) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Champagne West (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-4) Held up last but in touch, headway into 3rd 7th, disputing close 2nd when fell 13th, at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Texas Jack (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) In rear, hit 3rd, closer order 14th, under pressure from 3 out to chase leaders, no extra in last from before 2 out, last of 4, 27 1/4l behind Don Cossack (11-10) at Down Royal 3m Yielding in Oct.
Mozoltov 12-1 (11-10) Always in rear, dropped behind 5 out and soon ridden, no impression, never a factor, last of 5, dist behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) gd in Apr.
Art Mauresque (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, prominent, not fluent 3 out, every chance before last, one pace flat, 6th of 20, 6 1/2l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, tracked leading pair, led approaching 2 out, clear between last two, very easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Garrahalish (11-0) by 27l, 6 ran.
Little Jon 6-1 (10-10) Always prominent, mistake 2nd, led 9th, ridden before 2 out, pressed last, stayed on gamely to pull away towards finish, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Upepito (10-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Nov beating Kings Lad (11-7) by 2l, 3 ran.
Turn Over Sivola (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 9th, went 3rd from 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 12 3/4l behind Boondooma (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Shantou Magic (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Led, headed 8th, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakening when mistake next, soon pulled up, at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Village Vic (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Prominent, led 7th, made rest, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Quito Du Tresor (10-2) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 10th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, headed flat, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 20, 6 1/2l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Nov.