in touch, chased leaders 3rd, led 5th until next, led approaching 4 out, strongly pressed from last, carried slightly right flat, held on gamely
went left 1st, chased leaders, led 6th until 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, hit 5th and 8th, chased winner 4 out until before 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo
held up in touch, headway to 4th at 9th, 3rd 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, soon challenging and every chance last, drew level and edged right under pressure flat, held near finish
bumped 1st, prominent, led 2nd until before 5th, weakened 8th, behind from next, tailed off
jumped right, held up, headway to chase leaders 6th, driven after 9th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until 2nd, handy, lost touch from 8th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Any market move for Chocolat would be worth following however DAYS OF PLEASURE shapes as if this trip will suit and is preferred to Count Boris, Ethiopia and Solitary Palm. The selection was always under pressure when winning here last month but in the end he shot away to win convincingly. That run attracted the attention of the handicapper but now stepped back up in trip on this better ground there may be more to come. Count Boris and Ethiopia are closely linked on their run at Plumpton last time out, whilst Solitary Palm put in a good run at Taunton last time and Ian Popham looks a good jockey booking. Hampton Court and Gunnadoit both have to improve slightly on recent runs, so a bigger threat may be Chocolat who may improve for the longer trip and is unexposed over here and starting to look well-handicapped. An open race, but the nod goes to Days Of Pleasure.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Behind, driven 7th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 28l behind Pistol Desbois (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Count Boris 5-4fav (10-13) Led after 1st, driven 4 out, strongly challenged from 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 7, nk behind Ethiopia (10-3) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway 9th, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Elusive Muse (10-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Hampton Court 7-2fav (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Meet Me At Dawn (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Gunnadoit (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Disputed lead until 7th, chased leader until 10th, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Palos Conti (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
My Rosie Ribbons (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind The Gloves Are Off (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Himba 10-1 (10-9) Led until after 1st, chased winner until 5th, jumped right and bumped 7th, soon in rear, tailed off, 5th of 7, 45l behind Ray Mond (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Chocolat (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off before next, 10th of 13, 47l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Konigsbote (GER) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in touch on outside, headway and effort when hampered after 3 out, switched right next, challenged and every chance when not fluent last, kept on flat, held near finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Chico Time (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Ethiopia 11-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden and effort 4 out, soon chasing leader, every chance 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead last strides (no time taken), won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar beating Count Boris (10-13) by nk, 7 ran.
