held up mid-division, headway to join leaders 4th, led briefly after, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, left 2nd last, no impression on winner
held up, headway 4th, led 5th, ridden and hung left and headed approaching 2 out, every chance last when bad mistake, not recover
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, not reach front 2
mid-division, not fluent 1st, weakened 3 out
soon in rear
held up rear, stayed on moderately from 2 out
prominent, led briefly approaching 4th, soon ridden and weakened 3 out
held up tracking leaders, mistake 5th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, not quicken
towards rear and raced wide, headway to go in touch 3rd, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, in rear when mistake 3 out
led, ridden 4th, soon headed and weakened
Nonrunner
In a tricky race, Nagano gets the call over La Marette and Pawn Broker. As we say, it's tricky, but Nagano ran well when second to Albarino at Wincaton last time, and looked to be improving as a consequence. In what is not a strong contest, he gets the call. An 88-rated Irish Flat winner, Corsican Native might be capable of better, while Front Rank is seven pounds above his recent winning mark but holds place claims. If coaxed back to his Listed winning Flat form of July 2004, Pawn Broker would hold very good claims, while Salt Cellar would hold a chance on his fourth to Nanga Parbat at Newbury in March, but his other efforts do not hold as much encouragement. Signature Tune was staying on at Towcester last time, his best run yet so he could go well. Up seven pounds for her Bangor win in April, La Marette probably has more to come, while we know that course and distance winner Sir Walter is capable of running well from this mark. Will this trip be far enough for Magical Liaison? And can Cybele Eria get anywhere near the 22lbs higher mark she was running from over course and distance in 2004? If so, she'd have decent claims but, overall, for today, we will side with Nagano.
Andy Gin (FR) 22-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied when mistake 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Hattington (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Corsican Native (USA) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, moderate 12th and kept on same pace from 3 out, 8th of 20, 16l behind Kinger Rocks (10-9) at Galway 2m nov hdl gf in Jul.
Signature Tune (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sunnyarjun (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
La Marette 11-1 (11-3) Behind, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ran on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Apr beating Alessandro Severo (10-7) by 2l, 14 ran.
Sir Walter (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakened 4 out, 18th of 24, well behind Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov.
Shaamit The Vaamit (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, switched right after 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 17, 23l behind Pardon What (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Nagano (FR) 6-4fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 2 out, led and jumped right 2 out, ridden and jumped right last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Albarino (11-9) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Front Rank (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up and always towards rear, 8th of 10, well behind Festive Chimes (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov.
