held up towards rear, mistake 4th, some headway 16th, weakened next, behind when fell 4 out
always tracking leaders, headway approaching 18th, pushed along and every chance when mistake last, not quicken flat
held up towards rear, headway 13th, weakened 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, hampered 8th, headway 13th, hard ridden 17th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 6th, lost place 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th
always handy, pushed along 12th, headway 16th, 2nd and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders to 12th, in touch until ridden approaching 18th, weakened next
never in contention, behind when pulled up before 4 out
led until headed 13th, in touch until weakened and blundered 17th, not recover
prominent to 11th, ridden next, soon struggling, tailed off
mid-division, headway 11th, weakened and lost touch 16th, pulled up before 4 out
always in touch, mistake 7th, led 13th, soon ridden, headed approaching last, mistake, one-paced flat
in rear, headway 5th, fell 8th
held up in rear, headway 15th to go in touch, ridden 3 out, challenged to lead approaching last, ran on strongly
mid-division, some headway from 17th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, reminders 10th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 17th
Traditionally a tough and competitive contest but Gunner Welburn has plenty going for him and looks a worthy favourite to land this valuable prize. Ian Balding's charge is a most consistent type and gained a thoroughly deserved victory over three miles here earlier this month. The son of Gunner B was always travelling sweetly before settling the issue in a matter of strides once asked to assert early in the straight. The 10-year-old will relish the conditions and looks worth following under just a 4lb penalty over this longer trip which should pose no stamina problems. Supreme Glory took this twleve months ago but looks up against it off an 8lb higher mark and cut litle ice on his recent return while Chives has ben raised a further 4lb for an encouraging reappearance last month and is likely to struggle under his hefty burden. Irish challenger It's Himself had little chance to make an impression over an inadequate two miles on the Flat at Galway in October but has claims on his Punchestown victory in April so has to be respected. Rugged River will appreciate a test of stamina judged on his last gasp effort to score over 3m2f at Newton Abbot last month and was far from disgraced from 11lb out of the handicap here last time. Robert Alner's lightly raced gelding has to be feared along with The Bunny Boiler who has a progressive profile and is another for the short list on his favoured ground.
