tracked leaders wide, took keen hold, led before 2 out, clear before last, easily
held up mid-division on inner, chased leaders before 2 out, soon chased winner, one pace and no impression
held up in touch, went poor 4th before last, soon went 3rd, one pace and no impression
led, headed before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, never a factor
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous
held up towards rear and keen, soon tracked leaders and keen, weakened from 4 out
tracked leader, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Green To Gold was entered in a handicap chase at Lingfield on Saturday but would have decent claims if diverted here instead. Leopard Hills has already won four times this year but hasn't raced since June, while King Fingal disappointed when finishing behind Joan D'Arc at Market Rasen after finishing second on his reappearance at Musselburgh. Ministerofinterior could strip fitter for his run at Wetherby but it's difficult to look beyond ASCENDANT in this. The five-year-old has his first start for Paul Nicholls and hasn't raced since April but bolted up in a much stronger contest at Sedgefield when last seen and need only run within a few pounds of that form to score here.
Ascendant 13-5 (10-13) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd, led 3 out, clear when not fluent 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr beating San Deng (9-11) by 14l, 5 ran.
Den Maschine 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, mistakes 3rd and 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 9, 49l behind Beside The Fire (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
King Fingal (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 6, 18l behind Just Rob (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Leopard Hills (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Held up in mid-division, switched right and headway approaching 2 out, went left and moved into 3rd last, never near front pair, 3rd of 14, 17l behind Denton Ryal (10-1) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Sahrati 22-1 (11-0) Chased winner, reminders after 8th, ridden and lost place after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 9, 30l behind Icy Colt (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Commerce 14-1 (9-1) Chased winner over 8f out until over 3f out, weakened rapidly, last of 11, 34l behind Megalala (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Dirty Deal 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Players Please (11-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 4yo nov stks (4) gf in Jun '10.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 16l behind Just Rob (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Cloudy Bay (USA) 12-1 (9-0) In touch until lost place over 4f out, 9th of 11, 19l behind Megalala (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Green To Gold (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 5 out until before 4 out when left 2nd, weakening when mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Super Directa (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Ministerofinterior 14-1 (11-3) Always behind, never in contention, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Raya Star (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
