tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden to join winner 2 out, kept on one pace flat
in touch, headway 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace from next
held up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
close up, went 3rd 4 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
tracked winner until 12th, mistake next, weakened before 2 out
close up, blundered 4th and dropped to rear, slow next, weakened 3 out
in rear when pecked on landing 1st, weakened 3 out
made all, joined 2 out, ridden and stayed on strongly flat
Tangolan was easily brushed aside by Maputo, who runs in the opener, over hurdles at Stratford last time but had earlier beaten Shockingtimes by a length-and-a-quarter over today's track and trip. The latter is 2lb better off today, however, so there shouldn't be much between the pair this time. King's Legacy hasn't won since 2011 and was beaten when falling last month at Perth while Here I Am has never won under Rules. Leighton Aspell normally rides Milgen Bay but has switched here to fellow course and distance winner BERTIE'S DESIRE, who has been eased a little in the weights since his last appearance and can get the better of the unreliable Golanova.
Tangolan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Led, jumped right, mistake 2nd, jumped big next, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 18l behind Maputo (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f (4) gd in Sep.
Shockingtimes (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 1st, headway 12th, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Tangolan (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
King's Legacy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, not fluent 14th, headway 3 out, ridden after next, disputing 4 lengths 4th when fell last, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Milgen Bay 4-1 (11-5) Led, clear 2nd, mistake 4th, reduced lead 10th, pushed along after 4 out, headed next, no extra when not fluent last, 4th of 5, 15l behind Tregaro (10-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Bertie's Desire 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 5 out, soon weakened, remote 4th 3 out, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 4th of 9, dist behind Greenlaw (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Golanova 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, lost place next, well beaten when mistake 4 out, left 4th last, 4th of 7, 24 1/2l behind All But Grey (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Giant O Murchu (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders until lost place before 5th, behind and mistake next, soon struggling in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Here I Am (IRE) 15-8fav (10-2) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed when not fluent 7th, led 8th, headed before next, one pace and no impression before last, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Noble Friend (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
