steadied start, held up last, switched right and headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd and every chance inside final furlong, outbattled close home
chased leaders out wide, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on rail, pushed along edging right from over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
chased leader, led entering final furlong, shaken up and pressed inside final furlong, battled on gamely to assert close home
LIHOU has been in consistently good form on the all-weather this year. He’s finished in front of Blue De Vega on more than once occasion including when going close at Kempton last time. The latter beat Stone Of Destiny at Sandown in September and Andrew Balding’s charge went on to win at Doncaster with Mountain Peak well beaten. Desert Safari won over 6f at Kempton last month and drops back down in trip.
Stone Of Destiny 18-1 (9-7) Steadied start, pulled hard in rear, not clear run over 1f out, never involved, 9th of 11, 6l behind Count Otto (8-13) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Mountain Peak 14-1 (9-6) Close up centre, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 21, 4 1/4l behind Stone Of Destiny (9-0) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Blue De Vega (GER) 40-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 8 1/2l behind Came From The Dark (9-3) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Desert Safari (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, pushed along 2f out disputing second, every chance 1f out, weakened close home, 5th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Staxton (8-9) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Lihou 9-4jfav (8-10) Stumbled leaving the stalls, kept wide, shaken up 2f out, ridden and made challenge inside final furlong, not enough, 2nd of 5, hd behind Royal Birth (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp (2) pol in Apr.