led, ridden and joined from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, just failed
keen in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven and ran on close home
steadied and switched right start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders
tracked leader, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
dwelt towards rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt close up, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
tracked leader, ridden to join leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and all out
Pour La Victoire scored off today's mark at Wolverhampton last year and ran well over a longer trip here last month. But ROYAL NORMANDY also drops in class on the back of a recent second having won over track and trip earlier. Andrew Balding's charge gets the vote given maiden winner Summersault hasn’t raced since 2014 and Quintus Cerialis recorded his earlier win at the track over 7f. The prolific Desert Strike is back on a winning mark and can pop up at this level when in the mood.
Desert Strike 25-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Crosse Fire (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Quintus Cerialis (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, hard ridden over 1f out, faded final furlong, 10th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Corporal Maddox (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Pour La Victoire (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Elusive Guest (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Royal Normandy 3-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Searchlight (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Lucky Di 6-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mezmaar 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 17l behind Desert Ranger (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
New Leyf (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Held up in rear but in touch, beaten over 2f out, last of 7, 11 3/4l behind Ocean Legend (8-11) at Chelmsford City 6f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Indian Affair 17-2 (9-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, held when not clear run and eased towards finish, 7th of 12, 2 1/4l behind El Fenix (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Generalyse 8-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Royal Normandy (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Summersault (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Made most, ridden and edged left over 1f out, driven and hung right inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Sir Billy Wright (9-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Noble Deed 4-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon not quicken, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 5l behind Royal Normandy (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
