slowly into stride, close up after 1f, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish
outpaced
pushed along in mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on towards finish
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed post
soon pushed along in rear, never nearer
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on to lead post
Royal Bajan is 3lb higher than when landing last year's renewal but Monsieur Jamie can race off the same mark as when winning this in 2011. It would be no surprise to see either in contention, but YPRES is just preferred. He returns to this track for the time since scoring over course and distance last year and a recent head defeat at Pontefract suggests he's ready to strike again. Moorhouse Lad and Cadeaux Pearl are previous winners over track and trip but neither have been at their best of late.
The Art Of Racing (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 10l behind Ambitious Icarus (8-7) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Moorhouse Lad 10-1 (8-9) Edgy in stalls, raced towards near side, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 11th of 12, 11l behind Equitania (8-11) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Bajan (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Taken to post early, held up, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dangerous Age (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Ruby's Day 33-1 (8-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 6l behind Forest Edge (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol.
Master Bond 5-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Da'quonde (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Monsieur Jamie 7-2fav (9-0) Held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Rusty Rocket (9-6) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Ypres 4-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders on inside, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, headed post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Oldjoesaid (9-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Cadeaux Pearl 33-1 (8-11) Taken to post early, prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Dangerous Age (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Tom Sawyer 4-1fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Layla's Oasis (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.