soon outpaced and never on terms
pressed leader at fast pace, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
off the pace in mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out
led at fast pace, ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on same pace and did well to hold on to 2nd
held up off the pace towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, led final 150 yards, ran on strongly and won going away
in touch on inside, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace after
slowly into stride, held up in rear and well off the pace, plenty to do when headway on inside over 1f out, switched left to inner and strong run inside final furlong, finished well, unable to reach leaders
slowly into stride, outpaced
off the pace in mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
off the pace towards rear, wide and struggling on home turn, never on terms
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
A burn-up for sure with a rapid exit from the gate essential in a field of this size. Noble Storm, a confirmed trailblazer, remains a useful sort but will have to trap quickly from the eight stall whereas Caspian Prince has bagged the rails draw and has already displayed his ability to handle a fast 5f when always in command in a decent Epsom sprint on his penultimate start. Not overly consistent, he's very useful at his best and is definite shortlist material. GO NANI GO has also found himself well drawn and is partnered by one of the best jockeys around this idiosyncratic venue in Franny Norton. He's much more of a hold-up merchant who needs the cards to fall just right in a large field such as this but looks a strong each-way option at the very least if things go his way. Rusty Rocket and Top Boy are also noted in a typically competitive Chester sprint.
Free Zone 40-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden when switched left over 1f out, never near leaders, 16th of 18, 26l behind Jack Dexter (9-9) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Ballista (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) In touch, headway 2f out, edged left and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Alben Star (9-5) at Lingfield 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Noble Storm (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Led narrowly centre, ridden and headed inside final 2f, soon weakened, last of 15, 12l behind Steps (8-12) at Ascot 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Oct.
Confessional 25-1 (9-2) Raced stand side close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 19, 6l behind Dungannon (8-7) at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Mappin Time (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway when not clearest of runs from inside final 2f, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, never nearer, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Burning Thread (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Go Nani Go 5-2fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, going well when not much room and switched left over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr beating Bronze Beau (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Top Boy 11-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up and off the pace, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Mappin Time (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when short of room entering final furlong, last of 10, 12l behind Caspian Prince (9-4) at Epsom Downs 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Swendab (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Mid-division, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Rocky Ground (8-8) at Beverley 5f cond Stakes (3) gf in Sep.
Red Baron (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Raced near side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and every chance, hung left and weakened entering final furlong, soon eased, 15th of 18, 13l behind Lastchancelucas (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Rusty Rocket (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Mappin Time (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Secret Asset (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Always behind, 14th of 16, 12l behind Demora (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Magical Macey (USA) 16-1 (9-8) Raced near stand side overall leader, ridden 2f out, head inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 21, 2 1/4l behind Angels Will Fall (9-2) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Ballesteros 10-1 (8-13) Raced stand side, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on to lead this group inside final furlong, never a factor, 5th of 8, 3l behind Lucky Beggar (8-13) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
