held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd, not pace to challenge
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leader until over 3f out, stayed well there until weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway 4f out, stayed on to 3rd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led approaching final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong, soon weakened to 3rd
dwelt, soon in touch, weakened 3f out
dwelt, always towards rear
in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, some headway on outside over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, headway to chase leaders, 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
The past six runnings of this race have gone to four-year-olds and PIANO fits the bill today. She ended last season on the up with a couple of wins on the all-weather and is taken to continue her progress here for a stable rattling in the winners. Music City opened his account in a maiden at Epsom in September and should hold his own in handicap company this year, but Grams And Ounces has cut little ice over hurdles recently though won three times on the Flat last term. Mistoffelees will do better with a run under his belt, but recent Wolverhampton winner African Cheetah can make his presence felt.
Piano 11-8fav (8-10) Dwelt, held up behind, headway on inner over 2f out, led entering final furlong, edged left and kept on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Akhmatova (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
King Zeal (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 7l behind Bourne (9-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
African Cheetah 13-2 (9-7) Made all, quickened 2 lengths ahead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely under pressure inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Needwood Ridge (8-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Danderek 4-1 (9-1) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden on outside 3f out, hung right over 2f out, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 8l behind Snow Bay (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Prince Of Johanne (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Hood removed late and dwelt, held up towards rear, headway towards stand's side and switched right over 2f out, sustained run from over 1f out, led final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct beating The Which Doctor (9-8) by 1l, 13 ran.
One Scoop Or Two 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 21l behind Elijah Pepper (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Music City (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep beating Alfonso The Wise (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Mistoffelees 3-1fav (8-12) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 14, 23l behind Antigua Sunrise (9-0) at York 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
Grams And Ounces 9-1 (8-5) Chased leaders until weakened 3f out, soon in rear, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Conduct (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
That'll Do Nicely (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 9, 33l behind Lovers Causeway (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Strong Knight (9-2) 8th of 9, 6l behind Alshanfara (9-2) at Deauville(FR) 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 gd in Jul.
Antoniola (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear centre, joined stands' side 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 15, 32l behind Lord Aeryn (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Oriental Cavalier 3-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden 3f out, never a factor, last of 6, 13l behind Country Road (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Visions of Johanna (USA) 5-4fav (8-11) Held up in touch in rear, headway between horses over 2f out, ridden and kept on, one pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Relative Strength (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Mar.
Granny McPhee 11-1 (8-13) Very slowly away, behind until joined field after 2f, ridden over 2f out, driven to go 3rd 1f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Bedouin Bay (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Munsarim (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 26l behind Space War (9-4) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
The Caped Crusader (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon hard ridden and no impression, 7th of 18, 9l behind Tres Coronas (9-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
