tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on (hand timed)
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, effort approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and edged left from 2f out, never on terms
slow into stride, tracked leader after 1f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on one pace
outpaced and behind
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish
CAPTAIN LARS defied a penalty when landing last year’s renewal and beating Piazon, Crosse Fire and Red Stripes in the process with Penny Dreadful further behind. A repeat looks on the cards given Derek Shaw’s charge won here just 10 days ago with 2015 winner Crosse Fire beaten once again. The latter has since finished in front of Piazon over track and trip while Foolaad returns to action 6lb higher than when notching-up a hat-trick earlier this year.
Foolaad 7-1 (9-0) Raced far side, held up, headway over 2f out, 2nd in group inside final furlong, no chance with winner or 2nd racing on near side, 3rd of 19, 5 3/4l behind Naggers (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
Captain Lars (SAF) 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Tricky Dicky (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Piazon 6-1 (9-5) Taken to post early, dwelt towards rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Tilly Trotter (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Brother Tiger 25-1 (9-2) Outpaced, always towards rear, last of 11, 16 1/4l behind Normal Equilibrium (9-7) at Chester 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Midnight Macchiato (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Hammer Gun (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Crosse Fire 13-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Tilly Trotter (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Penny Dreadful 11-1 (8-10) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Rosina (9-5) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Red Stripes (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Prominent, hung left from 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Pearl Acclaim (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
