held up and behind, headway on wide outside 3 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division of main group, pushed along after 7th, behind next
led, clear from 2nd to 8th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
in touch in main group, progress 8th, lost place approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, no danger
held up in rear of main group, headway 9th, led between last 2, hung right flat, stayed on
raced keenly, held up and behind in main group, headway approaching 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, lame
prominent in main group, blundered 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up main group, struggling approaching 9th, no impression
prominent in main group, led approaching 3 out, headed between last 2, not quicken flat
chased leader until after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch in main group, ridden after 9th, beaten after 3 out
in touch in main group, jumped left 1st, pushed along after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
Fakima went close on his last journey over, and can go one better at the expense of Galandora, Cockspur and Big John Macarty. The name Tony Martin generally strikes fear into British bookies, and the Irish wizard nearly produced the goods again here last month. Unfortunately, Fakima appeared to be given far too much to do, and was beaten to the line by the Tony McCoy-partnered City Streets. The nine-year-old, still a maiden, will surely be kept nearer to the pace this time, and in a poor contest, is taken to open his account. To be fair to Galandora, she did well when scoring over the track-and-trip, with Big John Macarty back in third, but she is now upped in grade. Cockspur has failed to progress since landing a Plumpton bumper on his debut last year, but the ability is probably lying dormant in there somewhere. However, all roads lead to Fakima.
Hail The King (USA) 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, soon ridden, no further impression, 7th of 14, 25l behind Lord Lington (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Aug.
Lord Nellsson 28-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, reminders after 5th, weakened 8th, 8th of 13, 40l behind Herne Bay (11-8) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Relix (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 7th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, 34l behind Leac An Scail (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Cockspur (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Lyster (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Fakima (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind City Streets (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Courant d'Air (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 20l behind Gus (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Big John Macarty (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Set moderate gallop, went clear from 3 out, getting weary, still 4 lengths ahead last, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Snargate (10-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Lescer's Lad 2-1fav (10-4) Held up, headway 11th, close up when blundered 4 out, not recover, 4th of 5, well behind Super Judge (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Little Shilling (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, ridden 8th, stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 9l behind Comber (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 66-1 (9-11) In touch, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Scots Dragoon (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Galandora 18-1 (10-2) In touch, ridden 3 out, led 2 out and wandered, kept on under pressure, all out, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Oct beating Domenico (11-8) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Gavanello 150-1 (10-11) Led, hit 2nd, headed 6th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind The Sliotar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
