never nearer than mid-division near side, never involved
went right start, chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, keeping on same pace when slightly hampered inside final furlong
well off the pace in last pair, still plenty to do over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished fast and took 2nd close home, not reach winner
restless in stalls and dwelt, held up towards rear, headway halfway, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon hung badly right, kept on
chased leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, kept on again inside final furlong
fast away, led, clear halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 3 places close home
chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong
went left start and hung left almost throughout, off the pace in mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly into stride and bumped start, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
carried left leaving stalls, outpaced in last pair, never a factor
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Storm Lightning won at Brighton last month and went close again when second over track and trip on his latest start. But he has been raised a further 4lb and preference goes to LEXINGTON PLACE. The latter failed to win last year but went close off higher marks than today on a couple of occasions and a return to winning ways looks imminent on his latest second at Ripon. Bashiba won four times over the minimum trip last term and will have come on for a recent reappearance while Royal Bajan won over course and distance in October but is 7llb higher today.
Vodka Chaser (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Sleepy Sioux (9-6) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Gowanharry (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, losing place when hampered over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 14l behind Ridge Ranger (8-9) at Wetherby 5f fls hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Storm Lightning 7-1 (9-3) Raced centre, in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung right under pressure, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Ambitious Icarus (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Lexington Place 4-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Rozene (9-1) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gd.
Ace Master 10-1 (9-0) Prominent in centre of course, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 17, 11l behind Manatee Bay (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Royal Bajan (USA) 10-1 (9-6) Led centre group and overall leader, headed approaching final furlong, weakened closing stages, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ambitious Icarus (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Bashiba (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Clubland (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Findhorn Magic 5-1 (9-2) Chased leader, left with every chance as leader ran wide on bend well over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, last of 10, 15l behind Top Offer (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Touch The Clouds 12-1 (9-1) Raced centre, prominent, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Ambitious Icarus (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
State Of The Union (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) In touch, headway when switched left over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Stanghow (8-12) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened soon after, 14th of 17, 11l behind Oscars Journey (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Harrogate Fair 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Humour (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ada Lovelace 9-2 (9-3) Dwelt, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace to take 3rd place inside final furlong until no extra towards finish, 5th of 8, 11l behind Pull The Plug (9-7) at Doncaster 6f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.