tracked leader, led 3 out, soon ridden, hit 2 out, in command between last two, stayed on well, ridden out
led, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on again, run-in
not fluent, held up, reminders 5th, hit next, driven and struggling approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway 5th, mistake next and soon ridden, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, hit 4th, no chance from 6th
chased leaders to 4th, lost place next, well behind when blundered 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, 5th and no chance when blundered 2 out, plugged on run-in
in touch, headway to track leading pair 6th, tracked winner travelling well from 3 out, still chance when mistake 2 out, weakened soon after
raced wide, held up in touch, weakening and well behind when mistake 3 out, soon eased
Santando looks the obvious form choice here ahead of Ardglass and Wingman. Peter Bowen's gelding, who contested the St Leger and was rated 90 on the Flat, showed vastly improved form over course and distance last time out. He looked the likely winner up the straight, only to be joined on the line by fellow flat-racer Thunder Rock. The warm favourite for the contest, who finished back in third, had contested some hot races and so it does appear to be solid form. Ardglass has been well beaten this season but earned a hundred rating with some good performances early last year. If returning to his best he would go very close here. Wingman is trained by Gary Moore who usually does well with his recruits from the flat, but Wingman hasn't shown much in two runs. However the stable is in good form at present and it would be no surprise to see this one go well. Santando though has already shown what he is made of and this time he can take the full first prize.
Santando 7-2 (11-5) Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on well, joined post, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft deadheating with Thunder Rock (11-5), 10 ran.
Ardglass (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Grecian Groom (11-5) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 16, well behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Garston Star 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened 8th, tailed off, 6th of 12, 45l behind Special Envoy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Heartofmidlothian (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, well behind Air Force One (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Joke Club 25-1 (11-6) Prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, held when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Or Jaune (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Wingman (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 5th, challenged 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 16l behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Zabeel Palace 80-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 16, well behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
