tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, 6th or 7th, ridden after 3 out, led before last, soon edged right, held on
mid-division on outside, headway 4 out, pecked 3 out, no extra after next
held up in rear on outside, took keen hold, closed after 4 out, no impression from 3 out, no extra next
led, headed after 3 out, led again after next, headed before last, rallied towards finish, just held
prominent, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, ridden next, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching next
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed after next, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, in touch after 4 out, outpaced n when rider dropped whip after 2 out, rallied and went 3rd last, stayed on
prominent, blundered 4th, ridden 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, close up 2 out, kept on same pace flat
The switch back to hurdles has revitalized Red Devil Boys, who has won twice here over shorter trips this season. He stayed 3m between the flags but is up against another in-form rival today in TOP BILLING. Nicky Richards' stayer is going from strength-to-strength and, already successful over track and trip, can complete the five-timer before the handicapper takes his measure. Zeroeshadesofgrey has run well in better races than this and isn't without a chance while Kerisper and Bold Conquest have been knocking on the door. Milord and Balmusette need more, however, and Goodwood Mirage is hard to catch right.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 8th, headway before 2 out, edged left before last, no extra final 100 yards, 7th of 13, 8 1/2l behind So Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Red Devil Boys (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, driven out towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Boruma (10-1) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Goodwood Mirage (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear on outside, outpaced 2 out, ridden before last, kept on flat, never troubled leaders, 9th of 17, 16 1/4l behind Old Guard (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Top Billing 9-1 (11-0) Made all, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating A Vos Gardes (11-10) by 10l, 6 ran.
Grape Tree Flame 33-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 5th, soon headed, lost place and ridden 8th, weakened next, soon pulled up, at Newbury 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Balmusette 33-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Red Devil Boys (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Trackmate 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed along before 7th, ridden and struggling after 4 out, no impression, 8th of 13, 20 1/4l behind Broadway Buffalo (10-12) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in May.
Milord (GER) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Goodbye Dancer (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Kerisper (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 7th, headed 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Born Survivor (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 5th of 16, 24 1/4l behind Josies Orders (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Bold Conquest (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Harry Hunt (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
