raced wide held up, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, driven to lead near finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed near finish
prominent, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken
in touch, short of room over 4f out, outpaced halfway, headway approaching final furlong, switched right inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt towards rear, never a factor
dwelt soon chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra
awkward start, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
A tricky finale but William Buick's presence on GREAT CHARM suggests Eric Alston means business and the six-year-old, who didn't reappear until August last year and scored from this mark at Chester that month, gets the nod. It took Grissom 10 starts to get off the mark last term but he's a speedy type who is generally thereabouts while Sir Nod will be sharper than most having scored at Wolverhampton last month, only his second run since September. Coolminx found 7f too far on her return to action at Wolverhampton and should be more at home here while the lightly-raced Commanche Raider is one of the few here with scope and it shouldn't be long before he's gaining his third victory.
Lucky Numbers (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 16, 4l behind Cheveton (8-13) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sep.
Coolminx (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Avonrose (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Red Cape (FR) 40-1 (8-11) Unseated rider start, in a race won by Baby Strange (9-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep, 19 ran.
Illustrious Prince (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Outpaced in rear, never a factor, 9th of 11, 16l behind Green Park (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Medici Time 4-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 7l behind Captain Royale (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Raced alone stands side, in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 7l behind Humidor (9-5) at Ascot 5f app hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Grissom (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Made all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct beating Sandwith (8-8) by nk, 9 ran.
Commanche Raider (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left and headway over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 4l behind Amenable (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Di Stefano 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, hung left and not quicken well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 7th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Ritual (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Sir Nod 6-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar beating Gwilym (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Floor Show 20-1 (8-11) Reared start, ridden and no real impression when hung left from 2f out,, 11th of 17, 8l behind Haajes (9-2) at York 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Great Charm (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Jack Rackham (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
