led or disputed lead until headed after 3 out (usual 4 out), with leader, regained narrow lead briefly before last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
tracked leaders, effort to challenge before last (usual 2 out), soon one pace, no chance with winner on extended flat
held up in touch, struggling 3 out (usual 4 out), soon tailed off, pulled up before last (usual 2 out)
led or disputed lead on inside, cajoled along from 2nd, lost place 6th, behind from 3 out (usual 4 out), rallied before last (usual 2 out), stayed on to take moderate 3rd on extended flat, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, headway to lead before last (usual 2 out), soon clear, comfortably (final flight omitted on all circuits)
with leaders on outer, led narrowly after 3 out (usual 4 out), headed before last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
Nonrunner
Minella Charmer couldn't quite gather in Born Survivor in a maiden at Warwick last month but is heading in the right direction. Petite Power wasn't beaten far on his hurdling debut at Leicester and has more scope than Captain McGinley while Fontwell winner Clondaw Cian should find this easier than when taking on Grade 2 company last time at Sandown, though has a 6lb penalty to contend with. DARK FLAME was just a couple of pounds behind the latter in that Grade 2 when a 100/1 chance. He's a couple of pounds better off today and is fancied to turn the tables.
Captain McGinley (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along after 5th, some headway 9th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Net Work Rouge (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Dark Flame (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, driven before 2 out, soon outpaced, never on terms, 6th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Label Des Obeaux (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Karens Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Pr, 2l 2nd 1/2way, prog to jn ldr 6out, wo 5out, 1l adv appr str, jnd & usp last, mstk last, kow usp to line, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Different Gravey (11-9) at Loughanmore 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Manhattan Mead 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 4th until pushed along after 3 out, chased leaders, weakened under pressure between last two, 7th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Western Cape (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) sft in Dec.
Minella Charmer (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 6th, not fluent 8th, went 2nd 2 out, driven and switched left before last, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Born Survivor (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Rocknrobin (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led approaching 2nd until after 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, dist behind McKenzie's Friend (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Clondaw Cian (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway and effort approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, went modest 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Label Des Obeaux (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Petite Power (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hampered, stumbled and lost place 6th, not fluent when slightly outpaced 3 out, rallied and every chance next, edged left and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Handsome Sam (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
