held up in last pair, switched left 3f out, headway over 2f out, edged right from 2f out, staying on when not much room on rails over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, hung right and went 3rd over 2f out, continued to hang right and chased winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held
slowly into stride, held up in last trio, steady headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led until 10f out, tracked leader, led again over 4f out, headed 2f out, chased winner until over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 3f out, driven over 2f out, one pace when hung right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
pressed leader, led 10f out, headed over 4f out, chased leader until 3f out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, ridden and struggling over 3f out, never a factor, tailed off
in touch, ridden 3f out, losing place when not much room on rails over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leading pair, weakened over 4f out, soon behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
It's never wise to write off a Mark Johnston handicapper and it would be no surprise if Exemplary reversed Ripon running with Montparnasse over this shorter trip, even though the latter was making his reappearance that day. Simenon proved difficult to win with last year but starts the new season on a reasonable mark while Moyenne Corniche will strip fitter for his second at Doncaster, though is unproven over this longer trip. Battleoftrafalgar is only 2lb higher than when successful at Kempton four weeks ago but he lacks the scope of VERY GOOD DAY, who was highly tried after winning his maiden at Haydock last June and could develop into a decent stayer this term - he gets the vote.
Petara Bay (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 18l behind Harbinger (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Moyenne Corniche 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Cracking Lass (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd.
Very Good Day (FR) 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and struggling 3f out, 7th of 10, 12l behind Rebel Soldier (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Investissement (9-2) 9th of 14, 5l behind Telluride (9-2) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f lst stk gd in Oct '09.
Simenon (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Led early, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, kept on and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 22, 2l behind Times Up (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Harry Tricker 10-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 22l behind Fiulin (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Sep '08.
Exemplary 8-1 (9-0) Led, joined and pressed from 2f out, stayed on ,ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, dropped to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Montaff (9-11) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Montparnasse (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) Chased leading duo, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance until winner went by final 150 yards, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Montaff (9-11) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Dazinski 100-1 (8-2) Towards rear, effort into mid-division 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 32, 18l behind Aaim To Prosper (7-13) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Battleoftrafalgar 40-1 (8-13) Led after 2f, set steady pace, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, held on gamely, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Right Stuff (9-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Western Pearl 10-1 (8-8) Keen raced wide close up, headway to track winner 10f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 5l behind Baila Me (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Mush Mir (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, clear over 5f out, headed 3f out, soon slightly outpaced, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 14l behind Dandino (8-8) at Ripon 1m 4f stks (3) gf.
