steadied start, held up in last, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, late headway final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden over 1f out, soon went 3rd, keeping on one pace when hampered inside final furlong, soon eased
tracked leader, led narrowly over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
always in rear, struggling over 3f out
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, still every chance when badly hampered inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
held up, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Most of these have a bit to prove off their current marks. King's Warrior is 10lb higher than when winning the John Smith's Cup at York while John Biscuit remains 11lb higher than last season's course and distance victory. Rhagori went up another 4lb for finishing second at Kempton in October while Spifer has returned a losing favourite in both starts since scoring at the same track in January. Lady Loch had Spanish Duke well behind when successful at Ponterfact recently but would prefer some cut in the ground so a chance is taken on VALIDUS. Still unexposed, Luca Cumani's dual Kempton winner is expected to appreciate today's longer trip and made a winning reappearance last year.
King's Warrior (FR) 12-1 (9-0) Raced far side, held up towards rear, pushed along and no progress over 2f out, 17th of 33, 13l behind Bronze Angel (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Validus 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Pearl Mix (9-0) at Kempton 1m Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Area Fifty One 14-1 (9-7) Led until 6f out, mostly chased leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final 2f, 14th of 16, 29l behind Hajras (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Clayton 9-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 23, 10l behind Art Scholar (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Spanish Duke (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Started slowly and held up last, headway on outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Lady Loch (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Spifer (IRE) 6-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Buckland (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Vasily 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, lost place over 4f out, 13th of 14, well behind Buckland (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
John Biscuit (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Unruly in stalls, awkward start and slowly away, rider lost an iron and soon pulled up, in a race won by Buckland (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar, 14 ran.
Lady Loch 9-2fav (8-5) Pressed leader, switched right to outside after 1f, led well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, in command towards finish, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs beating Kingsdesire (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Rhagori 9-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Albasharah (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Hajras (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, chased winner and edged left 1f out, kept on on pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Mull Of Killough (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Nov.
