held up in touch, close up and hard ridden 2f out, hung right under pressure and weakened over 1f out
steadied rear, headway on inside over 3f out, switched left to outer over 2f out, stayed on to go second inside final furlong, no impression
held up when behind, some late headway final 2f, no danger
slowly into stride, held up, no impression final 3f
close up in chasing group when 2nd 4f out, led briefly 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, smooth headway when not much room 2f out, squeezed through and quickened to lead approaching final furlong, soon clear
set good pace and soon well clear, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, weakened 3f out
behind, hard ridden and no impression 3f out
checked clear leader 4f out, weakened quickly
prominent in chasing group, every chance 2f out, soon one pace under pressure and lost 2nd inside final furlong
close up in chasing group 10f out
always towards rear
always in rear, tailed off final 3f
A rare opportunity for the country's National Hunt jockeys to show there worth in a proper flat race with Richard Johnson taken to come out on top on board Escayola, who gets the verdict to resume winning ways at the main expense of Head To Kerry and Mostarsil. The selection looked unlucky at Newcastle last time when hampered and having to switch inside the last two furlongs and only failing by a short head to collar The Ring. Admittedly the William Haggas-trained gelding has been raised 5lbs since then but that looks fair and he is the logical choice with a good pace guaranteed. Head To Kerry showed improved form when upped to this trip over course and distance last time and remains unexposed but this is tougher, especially off a 6lb higher mark, while Mostarsil is also unexposed over the distance. Mick Channon's Tass Heel has won his last two starts but would prefer an even faster surface so looks opposable and a bigger threat may come from John Dunlop's Exquisite Affair, who is another that has shown improved form for tackling a longer distance recently. Martin Pipe's runners always warrant respect and, with Tony McCoy on board, Dubai Seven Stars has to be respected but Escayola is in good form at present and gets the vote.