chased leaders, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, never reached winner
set steady pace until quickened halfway, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, pushed out, comfortably
raced freely with leader, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
dwelt, in touch, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
MAN OF HARLECH makes his handicap debut after scoring at Windsor and may just edge this. He's preferred to Lanark, who has struggled since winning at Newbury last summer while Free Code is another who looks high enough in the weights at present. Braidley was upped 10lb for winning over 7f here in September and Spark Plug only won an ordinary maiden at Bath in the same month. A 6f winner at Thirsk, Announcement tries a longer trip in first-time headgear after a fifth at Kempton on her reappearance.
Free Code (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway halfway, one pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 6l behind Shyron (8-0) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Lanark (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Raced far side alone until switched left to join centre group over 7f out, tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 21l behind Sudden Wonder (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gd in Apr.
Spark Plug (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led on inside going well over 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, ridden to lead again inside final furlong, stayed on well, driven out, won at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Act Of Charity (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Man Of Harlech 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 5th, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd entering final 2f, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft in Apr beating Principle Equation (9-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Announcement 16-1 (9-2) Went left start, in rear, switched right over 1f out, pushed along and one pace in 5th final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Crowdmania (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Braidley (IRE) 10-3fav (9-7) Pushed along behind, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Latenightrequest (8-2) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp (2) gs in Sep.