with leader, led and hit 6th, joined and hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
raced wide. tracking leaders, 2nd going well before 2 out, led after 2f out, joined last, headed when carried briefly right run-in, soon no extra
held up, some headway before 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up, headway chasing leaders approaching 2 out, kept on run-in
raced wide, led, hit 4th and next, not fluent and headed 6th, weakened quickly next
chased leaders, 2nd 3 out until before next, chased leaders, keeping on under pressure when slightly hampered and switched left run-in, kept on into 2nd inside final 150 yards, no impression on winner
tracked leaders on inside, challenging when not much room on inside 2 out, ridden to lead and edged right briefly run-in, kept on well
held up in rear, good headway on outside before 2 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance last, weakened run-in
Nonrunner
A very competitive opener, though Ubaldo Des Menhies has a bit to prove having disappointed at Uttoxeter in the race in which Perspicace finished a close-up fourth. Royal Skies is still a maiden and finds little off the bridle but AT FIRST LIGHT knows where the winning post is and, despite having been raised 4lb since her latest win at Worcester, can go in again. Zarawi is a course and distance winner while Goal and Mandy's Boy look well treated on past form. Royal Battalion may finally be getting the hang of jumping hurdles and can't be ruled out either.
Perspicace 11-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th or 5th, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, one pace towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Alwaystheoptimist (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Royal Skies (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, well in touch 3rd, not fluent 4th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, every chance last, no extra close home, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Ladies Dancing (10-9) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Goal (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Behind, headway before 4 out, challenged before last in 2nd, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Casino Markets (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Zarawi (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) In rear and in touch, went 3rd before last, kept on and lost 3rd place close home, last of 4, 8l behind Vivacissimo (10-8) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun.
Limpopo Tom (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden after 2 out and outpaced, kept on to take 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Man Of Leisure (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gd in Jul.
At First Light 11-4fav (10-11) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, rallied after 2 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead flat, held on, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul beating Hawdyerwheesht (11-10) by 1l, 6 ran.
Royal Battalion 10-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, 4th next, driven and kept on into 3rd run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Gioia Di Vita (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Mandy's Boy (IRE) 7-2fav (10-6) Held up off the pace in 6th, headway approaching 3 out, one pace in 5th between last 2, driven and kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 10, 6l behind Brave Helios (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Ubaldo Des Menhies (FR) 9-4fav (11-11) Prominent, led 5th, headed before 3 out, soon beaten, last of 10, 34l behind Alwaystheoptimist (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
