led, headed just over 2f out, soon hard ridden, weakened over 1f out
behind in touch, hung left throughout, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
dwelt, outpaced behind, kept on under pressure over 1f out, no impression
started slowly, in rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and not quicken
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leader, led briefly just over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon one pace
This will be over in a flash and there are unlikely to be any hard luck stories in a field of this size. And the ex-Aidan O'Brien-trained Hidden Dragon is fancied to follow up his victory in the Great St Wilfrid at the main expense of the ultra tough Croeso Croeso and the in-form Whistler - although a move for the first-time-visored Boleyn Castle could also be significant. However, Hidden Dragon is still open to plenty of improvement and is adaptable with regarding to his best trip. He has held his own in some very good company already this season and can confirm that his Ripon success was not just a one-off performance if he is in the same frame of mind here. He will be hard to place in handicaps in future but can make light of a 4lb higher mark today before going on to a crack at something like the Ayr Gold Cup next month. Jayanjay and Madrasee look set to run their races but like Atlantic Viking are hard to win with and are likely to find Hidden Dragon swamping them close home.