held up behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and kept on after last
led, hit 1st, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
with leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed last, weakening when faultered run-in
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden on outer before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear and keen, headway approaching and mistake 2 out, no impression
always towards rear, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, in 3rd and going well approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, one pace
always behind, tailed off from 4 out
held up in touch, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed final 100 yards, no extra
held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching and hit 2 out, ridden approaching last, led final 100 yards, driven out
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
A tricky race to assess with Altan Khan and Grand Diamond likely to be leading players but we will give one more chance to PILLAR OF HERCULES. Ferdy Murphy's charge was backed off the boards at Kelso last time before disappointing in a race won by Grand Diamond. Like many of his trainer's inmates he might just have needed the run, and he is very well handicapped on old form, while conditions and trip are ideal for him. Grand Diamond has to lug around top weight and was easily beaten from this mark last time, so we will take him on. Altan Khan is a danger and looks to be coming into form. Good ground suits. Knight In Purple should not be ruled out, while money for Five Jembs is likely to be significant.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, reminders after 4 out, weakened from next, 7th of 10, 24l behind Rio Gael (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Knight In Purple 13-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, weakened from 4th, mistake 6th, soon pulled up, tailed off, in a race won by Royal Max (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Spirit of The Mist (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, led 1st, not fluent 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, weakened from last, 6th of 9, 26l behind Front Rank (9-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Pokfulham (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear, effort 4 out, pushed along next, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Orsippus (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Tharaya 7-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 6th, lost 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, hung left and weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 17l behind Break The Chain (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Crosby Jemma 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 21l behind Alegralil (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Carters Rest 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakening when awkward on landing 2 out, 8th of 14, 28l behind Ramsden Boy (10-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Takaatuf (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, driven and outpaced after 2 out, ridden last, stayed on under pressure flat, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 10l behind Beidh Tine Anseo (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Veronicas Boy 7-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 8, 24l behind Ashammar (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Mountskip 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, outpaced 2 out, 5 lengths down last, lost place and weakened flat, 7th of 15, 18l behind Sunarri (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Faith And Reason (USA) 40-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 15, 49l behind Viva Colonia (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Pillar of Hercules (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Took keen hold, led from 1st, challenged and under pressure going to 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, hit last, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 18l behind Grand Diamond (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Altan Khan 5-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, chased leaders after 4 out, every chance 2out, one pace from last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Delphi Mountain (10-11) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Simonside 2-1fav (10-5) Chased leader and keen, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 12l behind Cocoa Key (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
Five Jembs (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, travelled well entering straight, soon ridden in close 5th 2 out, no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 22, 10l behind Burnswood (10-6) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-95.
