took keen hold, led, ridden 2f out, faced strong challenge inside final furlong, headed towards finish
close up, going easily 3f out, smooth headway over 1f out, asked for effort last 110yds, led close home, cosily
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace thereafter
towards rear, ridden 2f out, one paced soon after
mid-division, asked for effort over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
NonRunner
Kitten's Dream won a lower-grade contest over track and trip last week but is penalised. Prince Abu completed a double earlier in the year, including a course and distance success, but was beaten by PHOENIX AQUILUS here before that. The latter has gone close again subsequently and may edge affairs once again. Smart Champion failed to score last year but is back on a winning mark on his reappearance.
Smart Champion 8-1 (8-2) Started slowly, rear-division, headway out wide chasing leaders inside final 3f, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 20, 10 1/4l behind Calling The Wind (8-13) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Phoenix Aquilus (IRE) 15-8fav (9-12) Keen to start, towards rear, effort and headway over 2f out, ridden and chased winner 1f out, kept on but always held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Aljaryaal (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Lion Face (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Be My Sea (9-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Prince Abu (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Held up off the pace in rear, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Reverend Hubert (9-10) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Kitten's Dream 5-2 (9-8) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Chef De Troupe (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Van Meegeren (IRE) 5-4 (10-12) Led, nudged along after 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden and lost approaching last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 5, 9 1/4l behind First Street (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep.