tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, challenged 4 out, led next, headed before last, stayed with every chance until held close home
prominent, not fluent 3rd, every chance 4 out, lost place 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, lost place 4 out, weakened before next
took keen hold, held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, some headway 2 out, no impression
led after 1st until 2nd, stayed handy, lost place before 4 out
tracked leader after 1st, led next, headed 3 out, led again before last, strongly pressed thereafter, pulled out more towards finish
led until after 1st, prominent, lost place before 3 out
mid-division, effort 4 out, lost place 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway before 4 out, challenged next, one pace and no impression on leaders last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, challenged from 2 out, every chance until held close home
not always fluent in rear, pushed along 3rd, stayed on from 2 out, no impression on leaders
Nonrunner
A few of those near the head of the weights would have preferred easier going. That list includes French import Monsieur Gibraltar, Bivouac and Karezak. But a couple near the bottom of the handicap catch the eye with Dexcite showing much-improved form when second at Newbury in March and Boss Des Mottes having each-way claims if reproducing the form he showed when successful at Fakenham, though he'll also be carrying more than his allotted weight. BOX OFFICE took a while to acclimatise last season after arriving from France but made a bold bid to give A P McCoy a winning send off at Sandown in April. He'd also run well over this trip at Aintree earlier and can start showing his true colours this season. The in-form Tea In Transvaal is preferred to Lucky Jim and Stars Over The Sea of the others.
Karezak (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Lil Rockerfeller (10-9) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Stars Over The Sea (USA) 10-1 (11-0) Led, joined and ridden 3 out, headed before last, dropped to 4th at last, no extra, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Petite Parisienne (10-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in May.
Bivouac (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, closer in 3rd when hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed, no chance with winner when lost 2nd approaching the last, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Beltor (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 1-2fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, travelling well after 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f (4) gs in Apr beating Sandy Beach (11-0) by 9l, 9 ran.
Box Office (FR) 5-2fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, chased leaders before 2 out, driven into modest 3rd before the last, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 18, 10 1/4l behind Brother Tedd (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Goodbye Dancer (FR) 14-1 (10-6) In rear, mistake 3rd, headway after 3 out, weakening when landed awkwardly and unseated rider 2 out, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Tea In Transvaal (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Pressed leader, led after 3 out, stayed on well flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Jul beating Tahira (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lucky Jim 13-2 (11-12) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and went 3rd next, no impression from last and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Quick Decisson (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in May.
Ryeolliean 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Echo Brava (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Boss Des Mottes (FR) 3-1fav (10-2) Tracked leading trio, 3rd before 5th, mistake and went right 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Dormello Mo (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Dexcite (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, led going best next, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Alzammaar (10-2) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Prairie Town (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 4f out, headway to track leaders 3f out, soon ridden, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Star System (8-13) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Beatabout The Bush (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Rum Swizzle (9-4) by shd, 10 ran.
