tracked winner, pushed along 2f out, faded inside final furlong
made all, ridden inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden approaching final furlong, kept on sam pace
close up, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, headway to chase winner halfway, ridden ans no impression final furlong
awkwardly away, close up, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
in touch in rear, ridden and no impression over 1f out
There was cut in the ground when GRACIOUS JOHN won last year’s renewal off a 7lb higher mark. He's been thereabouts on the all-weather recently and can confirm last year’s running in this with runner-up Orvar and Blue De Vega. Kick On Kick On has had wind surgery since placing in soft going at Nottingham in November while Spoof returns to action 3lb higher than when scoring at Chester in May. Trip and ground will suit Moon Trouble, an import from France having only his second start for Mick Appleby but Ice Age has done all his winning over further and Stake Acclaim has been off the track since 2017.
Ice Age (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leader far side, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 13th of 25, 11 1/2l behind Baron Bolt (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Stake Acclaim (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 15 1/2l behind Dream Of Dreams (9-3) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Spoof 25-1 (9-0) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Intense Romance (8-12) at Ascot 5f lst stks (1) sft in Oct.
Orvar (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakening when short of room inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Boom The Groom (8-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Kick On Kick On 9-2 (9-0) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, switched right and ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Blue De Vega (GER) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Foolaad (9-2) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Gracious John (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) In touch, pushed along over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Gold Filigree (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Moon Trouble (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind George Bowen (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (2) pol in Mar.