mid-division, headway before 8th, weakened after 3 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
led, soon well clear, slow 4th, reduced lead after 2 out, headed and no extra flat
held up in rear, ridden and no impression from after 3 out
chased clear leader until 8th, soon weakened, well behind next, pulled up after
pressed 2nd well behind clear leader, went 2nd after 8th until before 2 out, soon closed on leader and went 2nd again last, led flat, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway before 9th, went 2nd behind clear leader before 2 out, soon closed, lost 2nd last, every chance flat, held towards finish
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway 9th, 4th last, kept on, went 3rd close home, unable to challenge
held up towards rear, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 9th, not fluent 3 out, no impression before next
NonRunner
Elmono had decent form in France as a youngster and ran his best race yet for current connections when third at Perth two weeks ago, though this trip is an unknown. BENNY’S SECRET won twice here in the autumn and was returning from a break when down the field at Ayr last month over a trip that is probably beyond his best. He’s been dropped a couple of pounds since and gets a tentative vote as Champagne To Go is not exactly reliable and No Such Number may need this. Danceintothelight is an infrequent winner nowadays while Witness only won a Class 5 at Wetherby and is 10lb higher. Graystown could be interesting but Shepherd's Bight still has plenty to prove.
Minstrel Royal 18-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, 5th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Crackdeloust (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Danceintothelight 8-1 (11-13) Not fluent 1st, led next, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Ever So Much (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Benny's Secret (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened before last, 10th of 18, 23 1/4l behind Chapel Stile (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
No Such Number 7-1 (11-4) Led, hit 3rd, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Nathans Pride (12-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Shepherd's Bight (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, plugged on from 2 out, mistake last, never on terms, 5th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Coole Hall (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
Champagne To Go (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Pineapple Rush (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr.
Graystown (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch, chased leaders after 3 out, one pace after next, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Skywards Reward (11-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Christmas Twenty (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Towards rear, outpaced and behind 4 out, rallied approaching last, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 16 1/2l behind Allfredandnobell (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Witness (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, led last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Border Victor (10-6) by 4l, 10 ran.
Chocolat Noir (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, no impression disputing 6th 2 out, never threatened, 6th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Ever So Much (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Elmono (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Keen early, tracked leaders, effort 2 out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Morning With Ivan (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
