tracked leader, challenging when left in lead 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well
took keen hold, led, pressed when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, edged left and stayed on flat, went 2nd, no impression on winner
mid-division, hit 2nd, mistake 6th, stumbled soon after, weakened before 3 out
held up, not fluent 5th, last next, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 3rd, headway when hampered 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, one pace next
held up, headway 4th, challenged 3 out, switched left before last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat
Nonrunner
Ittirad had a great run last summer, winning three times and finishing second on four occasions. But one of those defeats was behind OLIVER'S GOLD over this course and distance. Mark Walford's charge is now 7lb better off and will be all the better for a recent pipe-opener on the Flat at Thirsk so gets the nod. Storm Of Swords may be too high in the weights now but Bridget Andrews takes off 5lb and it would be no surprise to see Laser Blazer run well after a short break. Skylander is another to consider but Northside Prince has come up short in lesser contests and remains winless over timber.
Ittirad (USA) 11-8fav (10-7) Made all, jumped right last, edged slightly left flat, hard pressed, held on, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Sep beating Purple 'n Gold (9-9) by hd, 7 ran.
Storm Of Swords (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Led, not fluent 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon beaten 3rd and no extra when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Set The Trend (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ruler Of All (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always in rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Chalk It Down (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May, 8 ran.
Laser Blazer 10-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, driven to chase leaders approaching 2 out, one pace between last 2, never on terms, weakened last, 7th of 9, 25l behind Hurricane Hollow (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f cond hcap hdle (3) gd in Apr.
Sureness (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division headway when jumped right 6th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Germany Calling (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chase (4) gd in May.
Honey Pound (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, upsides and every chance when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 3rd between last 2, weakened from last, 4th of 8, 13l behind Wilberdragon (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Skylander (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, driven and one pace when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Remind Me Later (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Oliver's Gold 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hampered approaching 3 out, 4th when hit last, one pace, 6th of 15, 8l behind Goodwood Mirage (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Northside Prince (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway 2 out, soon ridden and effort, no extra flat, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Master Of The Hall (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
