slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, took closer order over 9f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, led on bit over 2f out, clear over 1f out, hard held and eased final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 9f out, went 4th over 7f out, kept on same pace
in rear and reminders early, pushed along halfway, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened over 4f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 7f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
River Dragon was a disappointing favourite at Southwell last time and Painted Sky didn't run any better on his recent return to the Flat despite showing good progress over hurdles last year. Categorical's only win on the level came way back in 2005 and Dan's Heir never threatened when fifth in last year's renewal. However, ZEFOOHA was winning over timber at Doncaster as recently as last month and has scored three times at this track on the Flat. Tim Walford's charge gets the vote in today's company with the remainder of the opposition all out of sorts.
River Dragon (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Led, headed 9f out, chased leading pair 7f out, plugged on from 3f out, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Carnac (9-1) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Painted Sky 11-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, never nearer, 6th of 10, 8l behind Accumulate (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Zefooha (FR) 10-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, soon struggling, 8th of 9, 17l behind Brasingaman Eric (9-9) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Dan's Heir 8-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Rosewin (9-4) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Mystified (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Prominent on outside, lost place over 8f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Lil Ella (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Feb.
Dechiper (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 17l behind Puy D'Arnac (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.
I Got Music 20-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 12, 38l behind Gaselee (9-9) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Carlton Mac 100-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden 9f out, soon behind, last of 8, well behind Sir Haydn (8-6) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Mar '11.
Manager Mick (IRE) 200-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along, in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 34l behind Cape Rising (9-9) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Categorical 20-1 (8-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, hung left and ridden inside final 2f, no impression on winner final furlong, clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Countrywide Flame (8-13) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.