held up towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, hampered bend approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, weakened 7th, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, hampered bend after 5th, weakened 7th
prominent, ridden 7th, soon weakened, fell 2 out
in touch, led 4th to 7th, soon ridden, kept on same pace
towards rear, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
led to approaching 4th, ridden and led 3 out to approaching 2 out, led after 2 out, hard ridden last, ran on gamely close home
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, one pace
chased leader, ridden 7th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on well from last
mid-division, pulled hard early, hampered on bend after 5th, short of room bend approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, effort approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led 7th to 3 out, soon ridden, led briefly approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out, rallied flat, not reach winner
Nonrunner
This looks a tough but moderate finale and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Scarface, who is preferred to Geography and Saddlers Express. The last mentioned is less exposed than most but even off what is little more than a platers mark he looks to have too much weight for what he has achieved. Coppermalt is now only 4lbs higher than when scoring at Stratford in September but has given little cause for optimism of late, while Spanchil Hill showed improved form on his return following an absence at Taunton last month but may bounce. Lady Alderbrook remains a maiden and could probably do with some more help from the handicapper, while Lets Try Again has shown only bits and pieces of form since coming over from Ireland. Top weight Geography has claims on the pick of his form but looks a shade high in the handicap now and preference is for Scarface, who is taken to gain a deserved success having run well in defeat of late.
Geography (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to track leaders 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Kyno (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Apr.
Lets Try Again (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, blundered badly and rider lost reins 3rd, not recover and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Charm Offensive (10-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) frm in Apr, 9 ran.
Saddlers Express 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider in race won by Willies Way (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Scarface 13-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, chased leader from 3 out, every chance after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Hill Forts Henry (10-0) at Hereford 3m 2f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Coppermalt (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 12, 43l behind English Jim (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gs in Nov.
Spanchil Hill 8-1 (9-8) Chased leader, led 8th, ridden after last, kept on, caught final strides, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Charm Offensive (10-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) frm in Apr.
Lady Alderbrook (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) In touch, lost place 6th, stayed on from 3 out, not reach leaders, 6th of 13, 21l behind Manawanui (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Apr.
Tiger Island (USA) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, 12l behind Real Chief (10-9) at Fakenham 2m sll hcp hdl (5) gd in Apr.
