towards rear, ridden and headway towards far side entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd
close up, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on
led far side pair, joined main group halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
soon pushed along and behind after 1f, ridden and kept on towards finish
tracked far side leader, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led main group, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, never on terms
outpaced
in touch, ridden and headway inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, weakened halfway
prominent, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, faded towards finish
Excellent Aim won this last year off today’s mark and has has to come into the reckoning but 2013 winner SIR GEOFFREY may just edge this. A prolific course winner, Scott Dixon’s charge won three times over 6f here earlier this year and can race of a 6lb lower mark today with Natalie Hambling’s allowance further cause for optimism. Oscars Journey is back on a winning mark while Lady Joanna Vassa won at Newcastle on her penultimate start and Culloden ran well at Catterick last time, though was well beaten in last year’s renewal.
Excellent Aim 14-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Fly True (9-7) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Piazon 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Swiss Cross (9-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Bapak Bangsawan 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Robbian (8-7) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Port Lairge 66-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Al Khan (9-13) at Lingfield 7f stks (6) pol in Nov.
Oscars Journey 20-1 (9-5) Keen, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Horsforth (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp (6) gd in Nov.
Big Amigo (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Dwelt in rear, never on terms, 7th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Zipedeedodah (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Culloden 12-1 (9-2) Awkwardly away, close up, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, every chance and edged right inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Robbian (8-7) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Lady Joanna Vassa (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Towards rear and pushed along, never dangerous, last of 10, 9 1/2l behind Fly True (9-7) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Fuel Injection 40-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Poppy In The Wind (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Hit The Lights (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Close up, pushed along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Poppy In The Wind (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, led early, prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 12, 9 1/4l behind Coquine (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tribesman 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Lady Joanna Vassa (9-2) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Lady Elizabeth (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Led towards stands side rail, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Mystical King (8-7) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) hvy in Sep.
Pancake Day 10-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded towards finish, 5th of 9, 3l behind Head Space (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.