chased leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on, no extra inside final 100 yards
with leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, outpaced and no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear, weakened final furlong
pressed leader, led narrowly over 4f out, driven and headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held
led, headed narrowly over 4f out, driven to lead again narrowly 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reach front pair
behind, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on, never reached leaders
chased leaders on inside, outpaced over 2f out, never on term, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never involved
mid-division on outside, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off
Rock Sound made a winning start for new connections when scoring over track and trip last month but is upped a couple of grades and raised 10lb. He has the scope to figure once but ESPRIT DE CORPS looks to have the stronger form on his recent course and distance victory and David Barron’s charge is worth sticking with. Asdaa won a maiden for Dermot Weld in Ireland and has joined Mark Johnston’s powerful set-up while Jonboy will appreciate this return to 6f. Samovar has finished ahead of both Royal Sands and Crosse Fire in recent placed efforts here while John Kirkup finished in front of the less-exposed Astro Jakk at Newcastle last time.
Asdaa (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Basic Law (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f gd in Jun.
Crosse Fire 12-1 (9-4) Prominent, edged right 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Tawny Port (9-5) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Astro Jakk (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Paddy Power (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
John Kirkup 4-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Paddy Power (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Airglow (IRE) 3-1fav (8-10) Keen close up, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 4 3/4l behind Gabrial The Devil (9-8) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Rock Sound (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway on outside over 4f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, edged right, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating First Excel (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Samovar 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Tawny Port (9-5) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Smokey Lane (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Colonel Frank (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Esprit De Corps 2-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway towards stands side rail over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Poeta Brasileiro (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Jonboy 2-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Big Les (9-7) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Royal Sands (FR) 11-4 (9-6) In touch, ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Zapper Cass (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Andre Amar (IRE) 80-1 (8-11) Slowly away, always towards rear, last of 13, 10 3/4l behind Tawny Port (9-5) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Peggy's Angel 20-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Dandy's Beano (8-13) at Thirsk 5f hcp fll (5) gs in May.
Whisper Aloud 7-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final 100 yards, weakened towards finish, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Tipperary Jack (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
