slowly away in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
raced wide in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up, weakened 3f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
close up, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, led near finish, gamely
held up, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
keen close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
John Louis and Ronaldinho are interesting coming back to the Flat from hurdling but others look better treated. James Fanshawe's string is performing well enough without hitting the bulls-eye and it could be that the promising Fresh Kingdom, progressive on artificial surfaces last autumn, may need this first run back but he's one to note whatever his fate here. Light Of Asia is a course and distance winner for a yard going well and should be in the shake-up on the back of a decisive Newcastle success. Another last-time winner, Craggaknock, looks on the upgrade and is shortlisted but RIBBLEHEAD, lightly-raced for one of his age, showed a pleasing level of progression in his first season and would have needed his York reappearance. run. He should strip much fitter here and looks open to plenty of improvement this term.
Spiritoftomintoul 10-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cool Sky (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
John Louis 6-1 (9-7) Led, ridden inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Viking Storm (9-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug '12.
Yul Finegold (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up behind in touch, outpaced 3f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sennockian Star (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Ronaldinho (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 17l behind Hassle (9-9) at Ascot 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Fresh Kingdom (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Mid-division, tracked leaders over 4f out, driven to lead 2f out, ridden 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep beating Perspicace (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
The Character (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Awkward start, held up, headway 6f out, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 9, 29l behind Storm Force Ten (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) sft.
Craggaknock 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft beating Chivers (8-10) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Ribblehead (USA) 7-1 (9-1) In touch in mid-division, ridden along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 16, 11l behind Libran (9-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Dalgig 7-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 29l behind Taaresh (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Light Of Asia (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up in last trio, stumbled 6f out, steady headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Gala Casino Star (8-9) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
L'Inganno Felice (FR) 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Brassbound (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Wildes (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 9, well behind Storm Force Ten (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) sft.
