raced wide in mid-division, pushed along and struggling home turn, soon tailed off, mistake 2 out
raced keenly, tracked leader out wide until after 2nd, hit next, went 2nd again 3 out, ridden along and lost 2nd before next, weakened soon after, moderate 5th when mistake last, tailed
raced keenly chasing leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
waited with towards rear, good headway out widest approaching 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, one pace and no impression between last two, ridden and hung left run-in, went 2nd towards finish
off the pace in last trio, never on terms, tailed
held up towards rear, steady headway before 3 out, tracked leaders before next, plugging on in 4th when mistake last, went 3rd close home
led until headed and weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 5th, good headway on inside into 2nd before 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in
close 3rd on inside, tracked leader after 2nd, led before 2 out, mistake and headed last, weakened and lost two places towards finish
always in rear, lost touch at 4th, tailed off
NonRunner
Imphal looks well treated on his second to the prolific An Tailliur at Haydock last April but hasn’t raced since and is racing over a trip too short on going that is softer than ideal. Poseidon is having a first run for a new yard having only won a seller at Taunton but Lightly Squeeze goes on the shortlist despite a 6lb rise for winning at Kempton. Hardy Du Seuil was third over a longer trip at Wetherby in November but is better over fences. DR T J ECKLEBURG reappeared with a decent second at Leicester and could go one better here granted a little improvement ahead of Iceo, highly tried last season but returning from a lay-off, and the unexposed Djelo.
Band of Outlaws (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, headway into moderate 6th and pushed along under 2f out, 4th and no impression on leaders 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 16, 6l behind Dame Rapide (9-3) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Lightly Squeeze 4-1 (11-11) Wore hood to post, held up in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders before 3 out, led on bit before next, very easily, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Swaffham Bulbeck (11-5) by 4l, 6 ran.
Poseidon (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd travelling well 2 out, led last, shaken up and went clear run-in, easily, won at Taunton 2m (5) gd in Dec beating Wajaaha (11-6) by 7 1/2l, 6 ran.
Iceo (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Led until after 4th, chased winner until before 3 out, chased leaders outpaced after 3 out, kept on again run-in, never going pace to threaten, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Aucunrisque (11-5) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Tiger Voice (FR) 20-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, 13th 5f out, ridden and progress on inner 1 1/2f out, no extra closing stages, 9th of 23, 4 3/4l behind Moracana (8-10) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp sft in Sep.
Djelo (FR) 1-3fav (11-9) Soon led, raced keenly and jumped right at times, faced challenge 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Jungle Jack (12-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Palladium 14-1 (9-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, short of room 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Summer's Knight (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Hardy Du Seuil (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Midfield, pushed along 3 out, went third last, no extra final 110yds, 3rd of 12, 7 3/4l behind Iroko (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Dr T J Eckleburg (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, closer out wide before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last two, hung right run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Totterdown (12-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Imphal 17-2 (10-7) Towards rear, smooth headway into 6th before 3 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after last and kept on well, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind An Tailliur (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
In The Air (FR) (0-0) 6th of 14, shd behind Ino Du Lupin (0-0) at Vincennes 1m 6f pol in Dec.
