chased leaders, led over 5f out, strongly challenged well over 1f out, soon edged right, stayed on well
always behind
held up in touch, lost place over 2f out, rallied when short of room in inside over 1f out, soon beaten
always behind
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, chased leaders well over 1f out, never nearer
dwelt, behind, some late headway, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
set steady pace until headed over 5f out, remained prominent, effort when not clear run entering final furlong, one pace
always behind
tracked leaders, every chance over over 1f out, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, ridden to challenge well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on same pace
Opus Maximus won at Wolverhampton last week but the re-opposing Follow The Flag is weighted to reverse running. The former also has a bit to find on earlier running with Archie Rice, who is enjoying a purple patch at the moment and has the beating of Focail Maith. Aerodynamic is another with recent winning form at Wolverhampton, though he'll do well to take up his usual prominent position drawn wide today so a chance is taken on ARIYFA. She won her maiden with the minimum of fuss on last month's debut for Noel Quinlan and has plenty of scope for improvement now she's got her head in front.
Thunderstruck 28-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 11l behind William Haigh (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up behind, headway on inside over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Chosen Forever (9-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear on outside, close up over 5f out, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Opus Maximus (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Guest Book (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) In rear, one pace from over 1f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 13l behind William Haigh (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Big Creek (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 10, 7l behind Art History (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Oct.
Jordaura 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division on inside, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Opus Maximus (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Green Wadi 13-2 (9-1) Soon tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 10, 5l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Aerodynamic (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Close up on outer, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Dazzling Valentine (9-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Archie Rice (USA) 10-11fav (11-0) In touch, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Northern Spy (10-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Ariyfa (IRE) 4-7fav (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon in command, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Peponi (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ampleforth 15-2 (8-10) Prominent early, chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 26l behind Songburst (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Choral Festival 16-1 (8-13) Held up in 8th, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to chase leadrs over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final 110 yards, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Sakhee's Pearl (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Focail Maith 5-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Archie Rice (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
