slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, never on terms
in touch, chased leaders halfway, led over 1f out, easily
tracked leader, lost place over 3f out, tailed off
led until over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, towards rear, headway on outside over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, kept on well, never able to challenge
pulled hard early, in touch, headway 2f out, never troubled leaders
STAR ASCENDING arrives in the best form having won here twice since December and finishing runner-up on a couple of occasions in between. Jennie Candlish’s charge has been raised a further 4lb for his latest success but today’s opposition inspires little confidence. Spiritoftomintoul has been thereabouts lately but over 2m on the Polytrack while Clayton Hall was fourth over course and distance last week without looking like winning and Oyster Card remains a maiden after 21 starts.
Spiritoftomintoul 9-2 (9-10) Started slowly, held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final 150 yards, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Western Way (9-12) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Star Ascending (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Raced wide keen held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven and all out, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Leonard Thomas (8-12) by hd, 13 ran.
Anne's Valentino 28-1 (9-1) Tracked leader until ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 37 3/4l behind General Allenby (8-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Oyster Card 33-1 (8-10) Raced wide early, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Sky Marshal (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Clayton Hall (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, outpaced over 5f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer, 4th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Dream Serenade (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Monzino (USA) 100-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, outpaced, 9th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Sooqaan (9-8) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Red Shanghai (IRE) 150-1 (8-7) Pushed along in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Spun Gold (9-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.