behind, headway on outer over 4f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders in 3rd, weakened and carried head high from 2f out
made all, pressed 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
towards rear and pushed along, soon chased leaders in 3rd, one pace
slowly away, always behind, tailed off
with winner, challenged 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on and always held
in touch, soon towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders in 3rd place until pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
ROYAL HOLIDAY went close to winning over a longer trip here a week ago. The drop back to a mile is no problem as Majorie Fife's charge has won four times over C&D and he gets the nod. Thereabouts was still beaten seven lengths when second over track and trip last time and Bold Marc makes more appeal having gone close here a fortnight ago. On The Cusp and McConnell are course and distance winners but arrive in desperate form so Imtithal could prove a bigger threat if handling the surface on his Fibresand debut.
Imtithal (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Tracked winner over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 4th of 7, 1l behind Sinchiroka (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Keep It Dark 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Quan (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Royal Holiday (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 5f out, headed over 2f out, every chance until led again inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Blades Lad (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Thereabouts (USA) 4-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Frontier Fighter (9-7) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Handsome King 9-2 (9-7) Led, headed 4f out, ridden 3f out, challenged over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, led close home, won at Yarmouth 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun beating Danceyourselfdizzy (7-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Bold Marc (IRE) 4-1 (7-13) Led, clear with winner 3f out, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, rallied to lead again narrowly entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Fluctuation (8-3) at Southwell 1m clm stks 0-65 (6) fbs.
Dolly Diva 25-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Cross The Boss (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep.
On The Cusp (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Led until ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 12, 26l behind Scary Movie (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
McConnell (USA) 9-4 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 2f out, headway to take 3rd place over 1f out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Putin (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-68 (6) fbs.