chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, no progress
mid-division, pushed along and switched left 2f out, ridden and led approaching final furlong, kept on well, always doing enough
mid-division, switched left over 1f out, pushed out inside last, never placed to challenge
prominent, led well over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra final 110 yards
towards rear, lost touch rapidly and eased 5f out
led, headed well over 2f out and dropped away quickly
chased leaders on outer, ridden and pressed front rank well over 1f out, weakened under 1f out
in rear, pushed along and switched left 2f out, headway to chase leaders 1f out, ridden and kept on inside last, not quite pace to challenge
prominent on inner, pushed along and weakened 2f out
1m6f winner Aqwaam should stay this far and is preferred to Award Dancer and Balhambar who also step up in trip. Dual 1m4f winner Sarsons Risk has won over hurdles while Ebony Maw scored over 2m on heavy going at Catterick last time. Valley Of Flowers has looked high enough in the weights since successful over track and trip but HAALAND scored by over six lengths over course and distance last month and is taken to defy a 7lb rise.
Balhambar (FR) 5-1 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden and badly outpaced towards rear over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Scintillante (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Aqwaam 6-4fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, headway on inner over 2f out, soon pushed along, led over 1f out, soon clear, ran on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Sharp Distinction (10-3) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sarsons Risk (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Led, not fluent 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 5, 15 1/4l behind Galata Bridge (12-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Pons Aelius (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Took keen hold, midfield, ridden over 4f out, outpaced 3f out, soon weakened, kept on one pace entering final furlong, 6th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Tashkhan (9-12) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Animato 4-1 (9-12) Led 3f, tracked leaders, pushed along to chase winner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Goobinator (10-2) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Award Dancer (IRE) 5-2fav (10-3) Chased leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 11, dist behind Strawman (10-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Mukha Magic 66-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 13 1/4l behind Black Kalanisi (10-1) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Haaland (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Soon chasing leader, led 3f out, clear 1f out, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Bobby Shaftoe (9-6) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Valley Of Flowers (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Mid-division, headway near side 2f out, soon pushed along and outpaced, plugged on final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Strawman (10-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Ebony Maw 16-1 (9-12) Prominent, disputed lead over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right when pressed inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 2m hcp (6) hvy in Oct beating Tarbat Ness (9-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
