always towards rear
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, not much room inside final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, raced centre, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on and just held post
behind, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on post
always towards rear
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and not much room inside final furlong, soon switched right, kept on towards finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
It was quicker ground when Red Baron finished second to Silvanus in a division of this last year and he's 5lb higher. But Eric Alston's charge can't be ruled out and neither can Viva Verglas, who is fit from an all-weather campaign. That pair are among eight previous course and distance winners facing the starter here with Noble Asset on a hat-trick after winning here and at Ayr in September. Classy Anne and Flash City are closely matched on their run here in October, and Bunce and Go Go Green weren't far behind, while Chelmsford winner Clumber Street is the least exposed of these. David Nicholls is one of several trainers double-handed in this but his IMPERIAL LEGEND is arguably the pick of the weights on his run behind Noble Asset at Ayr in the autumn in a race in which a number of these were close up - he gets a tentative vote to end his losing run.
Asian Trader 16-1 (8-10) Dwelt behind, never on terms, 16th of 19, 7l behind Arctic Feeling (8-10) at York 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Red Baron (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Went left start, chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 7th of 11, 4l behind Searchlight (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) in Mar.
Noble Asset 16-1 (8-11) Chased leader stands side, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep beating Ladweb (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 20 ran.
Viva Verglas (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Keen close up, ridden when headway to chase clear winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Ace Master (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Classy Anne 10-1 (8-10) Raced centre in touch, headway to lead this group and chase winner entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind It Must Be Faith (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Nov.
Imperial Legend (IRE) 11-2fav (9-2) Tracked leaders stands side, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Noble Asset (8-11) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Flash City (ITY) 13-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Classy Anne (9-5) by 1l, 11 ran.
Keep It Dark 12-1 (9-1) Outpaced, never on terms, 9th of 10, 9l behind Meadway (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Nov.
Secret Millionaire (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Soon outpaced in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression when hung left inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Flying Bear (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Distant Past 4-1 (8-12) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Eternitys Gate (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) in Oct.
Bunce (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Flash City (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Go Go Green (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Raced far side slowly away always in rear, 11th of 13, 9l behind It Must Be Faith (9-2) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Clumber Street 3-1 (10-0) Soon lead, 5 lengths clear and travelling stronly halfway, edged left and ridden over 1f out, ran on, unchallenged, won at Chelmsford City 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Excellent George (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pea Shooter 8-1 (8-13) Close up, ridden 2f out, keeping on same pace when short of room over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 10l behind Oriental Relation (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
