tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, hung left under pressure over 1f out, not run on
led, ridden and strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
dwelt, always in rear, never a factor
awkward start, held up in rear, driven headway over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, eased
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
chased leaders, effort when not clear run 2f out, soon bumped, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
bolted to start, behind, weakened halfway, eased
Nonrunner
Hecton Lad had Byrd In Hand in second when gaining his second recent Polytrack success at Lingfield last week but a 6lb penalty suggests the runner-up can take his revenge. French Art makes the journey from Yorkshire and with Kieren Fallon booked must be considered while Catchanova is only 3lb higher than when scoring at Salisbury last summer and is on the short-list. MOUNTRATH had a couple of runs over hurdles during the winter but didn't enjoy the experience at all. He's suddenly found his form on the Flat, however, and was brought with a strong late run to score over 7f at Leicester a year ago. A 6lb penalty makes things more difficult but he's taken to follow-up while in such good heart.
Mountrath 7-2 (9-7) Raced alone on stands side rail, well on terms with main centre group, ridden over 1f out, closed on leader and edged right inside final furlong, driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Leicester 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Sairaam (8-13) by nk, 12 ran.
French Art 9-2 (9-3) Held up and raced wide, good headway on outside 2f out, led 2f out, hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind George Baker (8-9) at Salisbury 7f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Hecton Lad (USA) 3-1fav (9-4) With leader, led on inside over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Byrd In Hand (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Catchanova (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Held up, not troubled leaders, 6th of 7, 5l behind Jewelled (9-7) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Annes Rocket (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) In rear, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Leelu (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Pytheas (USA) 25-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Jonnie Skull (8-7) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Roe Valley (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 15, 21l behind Mauritino (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Byrd In Hand (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders on outside, chased winner well over 1f out, ridden and no real impression from over 1f out, plugged on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Hecton Lad (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Fitz 8-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, unable to reach leaders, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Saturn Way (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Hilltop Artistry 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 12, 18l behind Sir Ike (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Red Dagger (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) In rear, switched right 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd post, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Franki J (8-5) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
