tracked leader until left in lead 10f out, joined 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden 4f out, soon lost place
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong
towards rear, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly away in rear, headway 4f out, ridden when weakened over 1f out
led until pulled up 10f out, dismounted
held up, headway 6f out, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on strongly
in touch, headway 5f out, joined leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
prominent, joined leader 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Big Easy was second in this trial last year before going one better in the big race itself the following month. He's only 4lb higher but may need an outing to blow away any cobwebs. Moscato has also had a break since Lycidas brought his winning run to an end at York in May while easy going is a worry for supporters of Gavlar. Low Key and Cassells Rock have been in fine form over hurdles and enter the equation. The latter may do better on this ground and is also preferred to stable companion Encrypted Message. York third Lungarno Palace is not without a chance while Sands Of Fortune won easily over an even longer trip at Goodwood last time but we'll take a chance on MONTEFELTRO. Brian Ellison's gelding has been catching the eye in decent company this year and has dropped to a mark off which he should be competitive.
Moscato 15-8fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led after 3f, joined on both sides from 2f out, driven and stayed on gamely until headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Lycidas (9-9) at York 2m hcp stks (3) gd in May.
Big Easy (GER) 11-1 (11-5) In touch on inside, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon one pace, no impression when not fluent last, weakened flat, 12th of 23, 22 1/2l behind Call The Cops (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Mar.
Montefeltro 14-1 (8-13) Prominent, 4th early, soon 6th, pushed along 4f out, still 6th and no impression from over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Silwana (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Gavlar 9-4fav (9-10) Held up in 5th, headway to lead over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Winter Spice (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Rite To Reign 9-2fav (9-6) Dwelt never better than mid-division, 8th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Seamour (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Jul.
Sands Of Fortune (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Made all, soon clear, increased lead 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp stks (2) gd in Jul beating Taws (9-4) by 6l, 19 ran.
Lungarno Palace (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 3rd of 15, 5 1/2l behind Heartbreak City (8-4) at York 2m hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Cassells Rock (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge before 2 out, disputed 2 out, soon led and asserted before last, kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m Good - Yielding in Aug beating Pires (11-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Low Key (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Close 3rd, went 2nd before 3rd until 5th, led before 7th, strongly pressed after last (normal 2 out), headed final 75 yards, stayed with strong challenge, led again on nod post, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Mantou (11-7) by shd, 8 ran.
Full Day 16-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Steve Rogers (9-6) at Chester 2m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Encrypted Message (IRE) 4-1fav (9-11) Mid-division in 5th early, closer halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind He'llberemembered (9-10) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Cotton Club (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 8, nk behind Todd (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Medburn Cutler 3-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 16l behind Daghash (9-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
