held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
keen raced wide close up, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed post
held up, outpaced halfway
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader entering final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead post
keen close up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
always in rear
in rear, headway and switched left entering final 2f, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, nearest finish
INGLEBY EXCEED was having only his second start since September when just failing to hold the late thrust of Levitate over a mile at Doncaster and, as he can race from the same mark, he gets the vote to go one better. Mingun Bell is another who has been left alone by the assessor despite a good run at Folkestone last month and he's just 2lb higher than when scoring there in September. George Benjamin landed a claimer and a low-grade handicap before a length runner-up in another claimer at Salibury. He has a C&D victory to his credit but is looking a few pounds high in the weights. Switchback ended the last campaign with a victory at Beverley and, though badly out of sorts this season, don't be surprised by a better run from this mark. Defence Council looks the main threat as, though he hasn't won for two years, he's been running well in similar company and looks certain to get competitive.
George Benjamin 15-8fav (8-9) With leader, led 4f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right, and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Kingswinford (8-13) at Salisbury 7f clm stks (5) sft.
Defence Council (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway 3f out, soon chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 3l behind Klynch (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Mingun Bell (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Escape To Glory (9-5) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fm in May.
Dozy Joe 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on outside, edged left 2f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Ree's Rascal (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Glenridding 33-1 (8-10) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 18l behind Powerful Presence (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Ingleby Exceed (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Levitate (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Nasharra (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Pulled hard, led at strong pace, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 13l behind Try The Chance (9-9) at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep.
Switchback 66-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division on outer, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 16th of 17, 41l behind Edmaaj (9-1) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Icy Blue 6-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, 6l behind Levitate (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Day Of The Eagle (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 17, 29l behind Edmaaj (9-1) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
