took keen hold, tracked leaders until led after 2nd, headed 10th, chased winner to before 2 out, no chance with clear pair after, lost modest 3rd final strides
held up in touch on outside, struggling in rear from 11th, went modest 4th before 2 out, stayed on to snatch 3rd final strides, no chance with clear pair
tracked leader, switched outside to lead 10th, quickened and went clear soon after, made rest, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths advantage last, kept on
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, driven into 2nd before 2 out, ridden and 2 lengths down last, kept on flat, not reach winner
led to after 2nd, tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
NonRunner
Paul Nicholls usually has one laid out for this and has won two of the last four renewals but Dolos was beaten out of sight by BENATAR over this trip at Ascot last December and kept to 2m after. On similar terms, it’s difficult to see that form being reversed unless Gary Moore’s exciting chaser needs his first run since finishing third in the JLT at Cheltenham in March. Beggar's Wishes was progressing nicely in the spring but still has the lowest rating of this sextet. One For Billy has guaranteed fitness on his side but has not come up against opposition of this quality before. Le Rocher is a mudlark and was struggling when brought down at Cheltenham in March in a race in which Rocklander finished third.
Benatar (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up behind until headway to track leaders 5th, driven and effort before 2 out, readily outpaced by front pair soon after, hit last, edged left, ridden and kept on in modest 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Shattered Love (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Le Rocher (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 7th, towards rear when hampered and brought down 9th, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Beggar's Wishes (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, closed 4th, going well 4 out, led 3 out, clear next, eased inside final 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May beating Lofgren (10-7) by 6l, 7 ran.
Dolos (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Always prominent, challenged 4 out, led last, soon headed, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Theinval (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Rocklander (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Jumped right, prominent, led 11th, headed off home bend, led again 4 out, headed when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in May.
One For Billy 4-1 (12-0) Led to 3rd, remained in touch, outpaced when briefly short of room before 3 out, switched outside and ridden after next, went 2nd and ran closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Caid Du Lin (11-2) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Sep.
