close up, hit 5th and 8th, effort to press leaders 3 out, weakened last
close up, headway to challenge 3 out, led next, ridden clear, eased towards finish
keen tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on one pace
disputed lead until 7th, lost place 4 out, soon behind
in touch in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on run in, nearest finish
disputed lead until led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened last
Western Way has been in decent form lately and should give another good account, despite looking a shade high in the weights now. But SERENITY NOW will be tough to beat if in the same mood as when quickening clear of a previous winner at Towcester. An 8lb rise does not look insurmountable considering Craig Gallagher will again take off 7lb. It is more than four years since Now This Is It won a race of any description while Claude Carter has done all of his winning at lower levels. Cool Baranca won over a similar trip at Aintree in the summer but has struggled off higher marks since.
Now This Is It (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division on outer, headway before 5th, led from 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 19 1/4l behind Lord Wishes (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Western Way (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Always prominent, led approaching 5th, headed next, not fluent 3 out, ridden to challenge next, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Work In Progress (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Serenity Now (IRE) 15-8fav (10-10) Towards rear and in touch, challenged on bit 2 out, led going strongly before last, easily, won at Towcester 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Argot (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Sleep In First (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Close up, outpaced 4th, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Dynamic Drive (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Cool Baranca (GER) 22-1 (9-6) In rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish, 7th of 15, 13l behind With Hindsight (9-11) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Claude Carter 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, one pace before last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Alizee De Janeiro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.