tracked leaders on inside, not fluent and lost place 3rd, ridden and struggling after, well behind from 4 out
led, headed after 2nd, led before next, driven and headed after 2 out, no extra approaching last
in touch in mid-division, headway 4 out, outpaced after 2 out, well held last
mid-division, not fluent 4th, shaken up after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven flat, pressed final 150 yards, stayed on gamely
mid-division, headway 3 out, hung right and every chance flat, stayed on, held close home
always towards rear
prominent, led after 2nd, headed before next, hit 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, shaken up 3 out, soon no impression
prominent, every chance when fell 2 out
in touch in mid-division, closed 4th, ridden after 3 out, slightly hampered next, every chance last, no extra towards finish
held up in mid-division, ridden and well beaten 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, challenged 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run before next, pressing for 2nd last, stayed on, not quite able to challenge
in rear, ridden 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, struggling 4 out
NonRunner
The majority can be given some sort of chance in a typically competitive renewal but the vote goes to LEONCAVALLO, who could prove very nicely treated when the 7lb claim of his useful amateur is taken in account. Both jockey and rider could be considered as relatively inexperienced over timber but the combination came home in the runner-up spot here last time behind Sceau Royal and, with fitness assured, should give us a good run for our money off an attractive mark. Winter Escape looked very good in an unbeaten campaign last season and his performance here will inform Alan King which route to take with him. He's a live threat, as are the Skelton pair of Ch'tibello and North Hill Harvey, both of whom should progress again this term. Mad Jack Mytton and A Hare Breath are longer-priced options with a 'squeak' and the likes of Brain Power and Modus are others to put in the mixin a wide-open affair.
Hargam (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Held up tracking leading trio, 3rd soon after 3 out, pushed along in 2nd on outside well before next, driven between last two, led last, strongly pressed run-in, held on gamely, won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Court Minstrel (11-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Sternrubin (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Made all, hit 3 out, strongly challenged from 2 out, hung left under pressure after last, held on gamely, won at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct beating Instant Karma (10-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Brain Power (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, soon improved to lead, ridden and joined entering straight, headed and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Don't Touch It (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Winter Escape (IRE) 4-6fav (11-6) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance last, edged left run in, led final 100 yards, rider soon dropped whip, ran on, won at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb beating Marracudja (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
North Hill Harvey 25-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, unable to quicken from next, 4th and one pace before last, 4th of 11, 9l behind Buveur D'air (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Modus 6-1 (11-7) Behind, mistake 1st, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on strongly closing stages, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Sternrubin (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Leoncavallo (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd or 4th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Sceau Royal (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Rossetti 11-8fav (11-3) Tracked winner until 3 out, soon outpaced, not fluent 2 out, well beaten 3rd on home turn, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Sharp Rise (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
John Constable (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, mistake last, never on terms, 7th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Sternrubin (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Wolf Of Windlesham (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out until before last, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 5th, chasaed leaders before next, mistake 2 out, weakening when slightly hampered run-in, 5th of 17, 6 1/4l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Cyrius Moriviere (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Prominent, took keen hold, leader well clear after 2nd, closed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 10th of 12, 24l behind Cliffs Of Dover (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Song Light 12-1 (9-1) Behind, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Pointel (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, soon ridden, one pace after 2 out, not fluent and no impression last, 4th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Hassle (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Jack The Wire (IRE) 11-2fav (11-1) Chased leader, 6th halfway, reminders approaching 3 out, soon no extra and eased after 2 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Wakea (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Ch'tibello (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, soon ridden to challenge, no extra closing stages, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sternrubin (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
