towards rear was never dangerous
in touch, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt and soon pushed along, behind from halfway
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along halfway, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
behind, some late headway but was never near to challenge
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
dwelt and never a factor
chased leaders to halfway
Rydal has been in good form on the all-weather recently and is bound to be popular with backers but favourites have a dreadful record in this contest and preference is for Fantasy Believer, who gets the vote ahead of last year's winner Steel Blue. The last mentioned is 14lbs higher than when landing this race 12 months ago and gave the impression when last seen that he could do with some help from the handicapper. Glaramara, like Rydal, comes here fit from the all-weather and is another to consider along with Tom Tun, who has gone well here before. John Akehurst's Capricho is gradually slipping to a fair mark and has claims if fit enough for his return, while the 10-year-old Ellens Academy has a nice racing weight. Funfair Wane won his second Ayr Gold Cup in September but struggled off his new mark at Hamilton subsequently and with a 3lb pull for two lengths Fantasy Believer looks worth chancing. Strictly the selection should not reverse the form on the revised terms but John Quinn's gelding has again run well since Ayr and he looks worth a punt from what appears a favourable draw towards the stands side rail.
Fantasy Believer 16-1 Held up in touch far side, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 20, 1l behind Jonny Ebeneezer at York 6f hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Funfair Wane 4-1 Led early, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 9l behind Welsh Emperor at Hamilton 6f stk (B1) sft in Sept.
Capricho (IRE) 20-1 Raced far side, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 12th of 14, 12l behind Royal Millennium at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Steel Blue 8-1 Led, ridden halfway, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Caribbean Coral at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-105 (B) sft in Jun.
Tom Tun 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Quito at Doncaster 6f lst stk (A1) gs in Nov.
Glaramara 9-2jt-fav Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Cardinal Venture at Southwell 7f hcp (C1) fbs in Feb.
Lake Garda 20-1 Chased leaders to halfway, last of 22, 15l behind Halmahera at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-110 (B1) gd in Sept.
Commando Scott (IRE) 10-1 Led early, chased leaders, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Eisteddfod at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (C1) hvy in Sept.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 9-2 Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Whinhill House at Southwell 5f hcp (D2) fbs in Feb.
Saristar 20-1 Chased leaders over 3f, 9th of 12, 15l behind Onlytime Will Tell at Newbury 6f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Rydal (USA) 8-1 Held up towards rear and wide, smooth headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Master Robbie at Lingfield 7f hcp (C1) pol.
Selective 16-1 Came stand side, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 22, 2 1/2l behind Kamanda Laugh at Newmarket 1m hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Merlin's Dancer 7-1co-fav Led stands' side group, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 13th of 22, 3 1/2l behind Halmahera at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-110 (B1) gd in Sept.
Ellens Academy (IRE) 66-1 Raced far side, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 12l behind Royal Millennium at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Mr Malarkey (IRE) 14-1 Chased leaders 3f, last of 12, 12l behind Mine Behind at Yarmouth 5f hcp (D2) gd in Sept.
