disputed lead until ridden and headed 2 out, weakened next
in rear, mistake 5th, headway 3 out, ridden and chance last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, dropped to rear 9th, ridden 5f out, late headway, not trouble leaders
disputed lead until ridden to lead 2 out, ridden and headed next, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along 13th, soon lost place, weakened 4 out, pulled up next
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened soon after next
close up, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead next, ran on
SPIRITOFTHEGAMES is on a long losing run but ran some fine races in defeat last season and the handicapper has certainly offered him a chink of light on his reappearance. Shetland Bus came good over fences at the 13th attempt at Stratford and races off the same mark so looks a danger. A winner here a year ago, Tommie Beau completed a double in the spring but Topofthecotswolds was beaten a long way behind The Vollan at Southwell after scoring at Worcester. Kap Auteuil goes well fresh and on sharp tracks so can’t be ignored.
Kap Auteuil (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, hit 11th, shaken up and pressed before 3 out, headed 3 out, soon left behind and beaten by front pair, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 23l behind Musical Slave (11-2) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) In rear on inside, modest headway 4 out, switched right and progress before 2 out, ridden soon after, stayed on from last but n ochance with leaders, 5th of 29, 16 1/4l behind Mac Tottie (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Vollan (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Left tracking leader 1st, led narrowly before 2 out, soon in command, driven clear, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Haute Estime (11-10) by 5 1/2l, 3 ran.
Tommie Beau (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, effort between horses last, quickened to lead flat, ran on, won at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (3) gd in May beating Red Happy (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed 5th, not fluent 11th, mistake 13th, well beaten 4 out, 4th of 5, 37 1/4l behind The Vollan (10-3) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Pilbara 33-1 (10-11) Led and awkward 1st, headed 4th, tracked leaders, mistake 8th, dropped to rear 11th, pulled up soon after 12th, at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Fakir (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Chased leader, headway to lead after 4 out, pushed along when disputing lead before 3 out, headed and 2 lengths down at the last, kept on to regain lead close home, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Up The Straight (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 3 ran.
Shetland Bus (GER) 10-3 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching next, ran on comfortable, won at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Templehills (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
