slight bump start, took keen hold, held up last, ridden and beaten 2f out, never a factor
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden on outside over 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied and bumped start, held up in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and beaten inside final 2f
led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and held slight lead when pressed from inside final 2f, headed and no extra last 100 yards
took keen hold, soon held up in last pair, headway under pressure 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, never going pace to reach leading trio
took keen hold, held up 5th on inside, headway well over 1f out, soon 3rd, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, soon clear
tracke dleader, challenged from inside final 2f, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
NonRunner
Winning hurdler RAINBOW DREAMER (NAP) had to be switched for a clear run when third over 1m4f at Leicester a fortnight ago. Alan King’s charge will appreciate this longer trip and gets the nod. Star Rider has also been hurdling and won over 2m at Newmarket when last on the Flat in October. He won over 2m5f at Goodwood earlier in the year when Oceane was third and is preferred to recent Newcastle third Swashbuckle. Champagne Champ won three times last season and can figure with Jim Crowley on board while Farquhar debuts for Mick Appleby on his first start since 2015.
Warrior Of Light (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) 6th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Zamaam (8-9) at Meydan 2m hcp gd in Feb.
Star Rider 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leading pair until pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Tara Mist (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Oceane (FR) 9-2 (9-4) Close up in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 9 3/4l behind Royal Marskell (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Havana Beat (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 7th of 9, 9l behind Natural Scenery (9-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Champagne Champ 11-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, headway to lead briefly 3f out, soon ridden, lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 18l behind Cape Cova (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Guard Of Honour (IRE) 5-2fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 5f, pushed along approaching straight, under pressure 2f out and soon no impression on winner, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Winter Lion (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Rainbow Dreamer 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Galapiat (9-1) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Swashbuckle 4-1 (8-8) Raced wide, prominent, led over 3f out, soon joined, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Gavlar (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Farquhar (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Towards rear, driven and headway towards stands side over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Wadi Al Hattawi (9-10) at Newmarket 1m 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
