in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and some headway inside final furlong
led stand side trio, headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra
close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
close up, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace
tracked leader stand side, weakened 2f out, eased
dwelt towards rear, headway over 2f out, pushed along to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway inside final furlong, nearest finish
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led far side group, headed 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along and weakened 3f out, eased
in touch, pushed along 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders stand side, led this group 2f out, no impression on far side group
Hajjam has won half of his six starts here and from much higher marks. He's gone well fresh in the past while Asmund gained his only Turf victory here in September though that was on fast going. Merry Secret had three runs on Tapeta last month and was narrowly beaten in all but Bannergirl was very disappointing when well supported at Brighton in October. Listen Again is 0-20 but seven-times winner EPONINA has won first-time-back in the past and her rider's claim sees her on a very fair mark.
Hajjam 66-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 11th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Bringitonboris (9-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Eponina (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Vindobala (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Merry Secret (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Mid division, ridden and could not go pace of leader approaching final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Chookie Dunedin (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Asmund (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Disputed lead, led 3f out, ridden well over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on but no extra closing stages, 4th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Magnificence (9-2) at Redcar 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Frog And Toad (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along in rear and struggling before halfway, never a factor, 9th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Empirestateofmind (9-6) at Thirsk 1m hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Macmerry Jim 40-1 (9-3) Led, forced wide by loose horse early, lost irons and unseated rider 3f out, at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Blackjack 4-1fav (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon held, one pace, 7th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Streak Lightning (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Trevie Fountain 11-1 (8-9) Held up and behind, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Daafy (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Bannergirl (IRE) 16-5fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, switched left over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, well held from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Pitchcombe (9-5) at Brighton 1m hcp (6) sft in Oct.
The Big House (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Daafy (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Listen Again (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Millionaire Waltz (9-11) at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Elland Road Boy (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Soon towards rear, ridden on outside over 1f, no impression, 7th of 8, 4 3/4l behind The Nail Gunner (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Stoney Lane 18-1 (8-12) Close up early, chased leaders after 2f, pushed along under 3f out, no headway and beaten entering final furlong, 12th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Cusack (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sugarpiehoneybunch (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Slowly away towards rear stand side, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Pacino (9-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
