led 7f, tracked leader over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, carried wide on bend 4f out, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, hung left and headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased
held up in last pair, headway on wide outside over 1f out, went 2nd and stayed on inside final furlong, led towards finish
went 2nd after 2f, led 9f out until 2f out, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader 2f, chased leaders on inside, outpaced over 2f out, rallied on wide outside into 3rd towards finish
slowly into stride, took keen hold in 5th on inside headway to lead entering final furlong, headed towards finish
chased leaders, hung right and weakened over 1f out
always in rear, tailed off
Le Torrent has been off the track since failing to land a hat-trick in May last year though one of his earlier wins came over track and trip. Galileo's Spear came up short once again at Newcastle last time and had earlier fallen victim to Colwood over a longer trip at Southwell. The latter ran well again at Chelmsford recently but Houlton has something to prove over this longer trip. MOON OF BARODA has improved for the step up to 2m and came good at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. Charlie Hills’ charge may prove worth sticking with now he’s got his head in front and gets the nod.
Conkering Hero (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place over 4f out, 8th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Rydan (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Moon of Baroda 9-4fav (9-0) In rear and in touch, led over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Markhan (9-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Akavit (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Set steady pace, ridden and headed approaching final 2f, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 17 3/4l behind Western Way (9-9) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Le Torrent 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, reminders and struggling over 4f out, never involved, 10th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Chivers (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (5) gs in May.
Mere Anarchy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until pushed along 2 out, weakened under pressure between last 2, 7th of 17, 10 3/4l behind Jimmy Rabbitte (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Colwood 4-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out on inside, soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Navajo Star (9-12) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Houlton 6-1 (9-5) Prominent, led after 1f, headed 2f out, held by winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Ilhabela Fact (9-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Galileo's Spear (FR) 5-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Grey Mist (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Beau Knight 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, bumped 3 out, went 2nd soon after, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon lost 2nd, mistake and weakened last, 5th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Aza Run (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
