kept wide early, held up off the pace in 4th, weakened into last place before 3 out, fell next
kept wide tracked leader until after 3rd, chased leading pair, pushed along turning in, ridden hung left and weakened before 2 out
reluctant leader at steady pace, headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and no impression before the last, no chance with winner
raced keenly and often jumped left, held up off the pace in last, went moderate 4th, before 3 out, went modest 3rd before next
bit keen, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, led 2 out, clear before the last, stayed on strongly
NonRunner
Irish raider Wild Shot is sailing in calmer waters here but may have peaked in the summer. Vocal Duke has been rested since unseating his rider in the early stages at Cartmel in August but WHIZZ KID has more potential. Richard Newland’s charge has run well in a couple of very tough handicaps since completing a double at Ludlow in March. Holmes St Georges makes more appeal than Excelcius of the others.
Excelcius (USA) 15-2 (12-0) Chased leader, disputed briefly 3rd, 2nd halfway, disputed 3 out, led entering straight, ridden after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Cottie (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Wild Shot 25-1 (11-8) Not always fluent, held up in rear, headway on outside before 3 out, 4th and one pace before last, weakened inside final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Mofasa (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
Whizz Kid (GER) 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Knappers Hill (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Antey (GER) 66-1 (11-13) Towards rear, not fluent 3 out, asked for effort 2 out, no impression soon after, 4th of 7, 31 1/4l behind Frightened Rabbit (10-2) at Hexham 2m hcp (3) gs in May.
Holmes St Georges (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner, well held last, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Noble Birth (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Vocal Duke (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug.