prominent, led over 14f out, headed 6f out, led again 4f out, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on well
led 1f, prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-divsion, in touch over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 4f out
prominent, lost place over 6f out, well beaten final 5f, tailed off
led after 1f, headed over 14f out, led again 6f out, headed over 4f out, no impression on winner final 2f, lost 2nd inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and struggling 8f out
in touch, ridden in 3rd over 4f out, no impression on winner final 2f, stayed on same pace, went 2nd inside final furlong
held up in rear, niggled along and losing touch after 4f, well behind final 10f, tailed off
held up, headway 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, headway on inside over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
It took a while for Preseli Rock to get the hang of things at ascot but he'll know more today and has the beating of Bears Rails. Popping Along has her first start since finishing second at Uttoxeter in May while Rebekah Rabbit makes her debut under Rules but Ballyrath looked a sure-fire future winner when going close here earlier in the month and is a danger to GHOST RIVER. Peter Bowen's gelding found a penalty too tough when making his reappearance at Ffos Las in October but wasn't disgraced and should strip fitter today.
Ghost River 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd 7f out, led 3f out, ridden and joined when edged left over 2f out, headed soon after, chased (easy) winner, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Beast Of Burden (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Ballyrath (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Thunder And Rain (10-9) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Bears Rails 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon hung right, 2nd briefly well over 1f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Sugar Baron (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Gifted Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in touch, pushed along 10f out, weakened 5f out, behind and virtully pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Rock The Kasbah (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) sft in Oct.
Preseli Rock (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in last pair racing wide, niggled along halfway, headway on wide outside over 2f out, disputing 2nd well over 1f out, 3rd and held when slightly hampered final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Sugar Baron (10-11) at Ascot 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Shadow's Boy 16-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader until weakened quickly over 4f out, 7th of 9, 32l behind Nansaroy (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) sft.
Ugolin De Beaumont (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 16l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Briery Blossom 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division on outside, driven 4f out, weakened 3f out, 11th of 14, 37l behind Lifeboat Mona (10-12) at Warwick 2m mares n h flat (6) gs in Nov.
Popping Along 25-1 (10-9) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Fire Tower (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mares n h flat (6) gd in May.
Rebekah Rabbit (IRE) 2-5 (10-0) Made virt all; lft clr 2 out; v easy, won at Tedworth 2m 4f ptp gd in Apr beating Midnight Sizzler (11-7) by 8l, 5 ran.
