held up in mid-division, never on terms with leaders
chased leaders far side of group, weakened halfway
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, keeping on same pace when hampered and snatched up towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner towards finish
chased leaders 4f
led, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner towards finish
held up and off the pace towards rear, headway going well when not clear run and switched right to rail over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish, won going away
held up, some headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders on rail, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up last, never involved
held up towards rear, headway far side of group over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but not pace of winner
raced keenly, chased leader until over 2f out, chased leaders, no extra well inside final furlong
Wasntexpectingthat finally took advantage of a slide down the weights when scoring over track and trip but is 6lb higher for this. Haddaf has been thereabouts over 7f recently, though all four wins to date came over the minimum trip, while Hassaad had been threatening before running a shocker when sent off favourite at Kempton. The consistent EPEIUS scored over course and distance in May and has been thereabouts subsequently. He ran another good race when beaten a length in a higher grade sprint here last time and a bold bid is expected.
Followthesteps (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Rider was slow to remove hood and lost many lengths at start, no danger after, 8th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Big Les (9-7) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Cupboard Love 14-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 22 1/2l behind Bubble And Squeak (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (2) pol in Dec.
Haddaf (IRE) 10-3fav (9-7) Raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, just, 3rd of 14, nk behind Fighting Temeraire (9-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Epeius (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Paddy Power (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
East Street Revue 22-1 (9-0) Hampered start, mid-division, headway halfway, weakened well over 1f out, last of 14, 6 1/2l behind Paddy Power (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Jonboy 16-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden and outpaced when hung left 2f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Samovar (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Hassaad 7-4fav (9-7) Raced keenly, soon chasing leaders on outside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, last of 11, 17l behind Phoenix Star (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Wasntexpectingthat 10-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Kenny The Captain (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Alicia Darcy (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Slow into stride in rear, never a factor, 10th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Chookie Dunedin (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Yes You (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Conga (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp fll (4) hvy in Sep.
Edessann (IRE) 40-1 (9-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 24l behind Valley of Fire (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Oriental Lilly 7-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Wasntexpectingthat (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Bugler Bob (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, plugged on, no threat, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Phoenix Star (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Gowanbuster 11-1 (9-6) Led, soon joined, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong, 10th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Big Les (9-7) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
