led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, under pressure from over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, very easy
prominent, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out
chased leaders, took closer order over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, eased over 1f out
Gabrial's King never figured in the Chester Cup last time but Gabrial's Star won at the same meeting though has been well beaten at York since then when both Astra Hall and Pilgrims Rest finished ahead of him. The latter only just failed to catch Streets Of Newyork on that occasion and may be capable of better still over this longer distance. But it's HASSLE that makes most appeal as he completed a double over 1m6f at Nottingham three weeks ago and can also get the better of last year's winner Swinging Hawk, who is 6lb higher this time round.
Pilgrims Rest (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, ran on gamely, 2nd of 15, shd behind Streets Of Newyork (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Hassle (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, 3rd 3f out, challenged 2f out, led and hung badly right from over 1f out, soon ridden, held on, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Bohemian Rhapsody (9-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Gabrial's King (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along and one pace over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 17, 12l behind Suegioo (9-4) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) gd.
Gabrial's Star 6-4fav (9-4) Held up, ridden when weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 20l behind Streets Of Newyork (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Astra Hall 15-2 (9-4) In rear, headway towards stand side rail 2f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Streets Of Newyork (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Swnymor (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Mid-division, lost place and dropped to rear 5f out, ridden when headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 23, 17l behind Conduct (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Bayan Kasirga (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, edged left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 25l behind Streets Of Newyork (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Noble Alan (GER) 4-1 (9-4) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 7l behind Aramist (9-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Swinging Hawk (GER) 8-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along and well outpaced over 4f out, short-lived effort on outside over 2f out, last of 8, 12l behind Chocala (9-3) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Hunting Ground (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 17l behind Kings Bayonet (9-6) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
