took keen hold, in touch, effort 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, weakened over 1f out
went left start, soon prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, progress from 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, nearest finish, not reach leaders
slowly into stride and bumped start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
prominent on outer, every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, faded inside final furlong
chased leaders to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start and switched left, held up in rear, took keen hold, good headway over 1f out on outer, ran on inside final furlong, finished well nearest finish
took keen hold towards rear, not clear run 2f out, switched left and progress over 1f out, kept on but not troubled leaders
went right start, soon mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
in touch, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, drew clear inside final furlong, ridden out
Nonrunner
Lord of The Reins looks the pick of the trio of Derek Shaw's runners in the race ahead of stable companions Namir and Imperial Echo but it is Spirit Of Coniston that gets the vote, with Brut rated the pick of the remainder. David Nicholls is not known for his great success early on in the season but Spirit Of Coniston has plenty going for him in terms of trip and ground, although the five-year-old does have a career high mark to overcome. Lack of a recent run is of some concern for the selection, as it is for Ed McMahon's Tender Process, who was lightly raced last term. Dualagi won first time out last term so does go well when fresh and he has to be respected on his reappearance, as does David Barker's Brut, although he would probably prefer a faster surface. Plenty have claims but it is Spirit Of Coniston that gets the vote.
Namir (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 10th of 11, 25l behind Royal Envoy (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Imperial Echo (USA) 20-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no headway, gradually weakened, 8th of 12, 8l behind Ninth House (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Highland Warrior 12-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind stands' side, never on terms, 16th of 19, 6l behind Princess Ellis (8-12) at York 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Brut 5-1 (9-1) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 12l behind Garlogs (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Methaaly (IRE) 11-1 (8-1) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, edged left final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Dickie Le Davoir (9-1) by a hd, 6 ran.
Spirit of Coniston 6-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Commander Wish (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Tender Process (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Always behind, last of 16, 15l behind Hotham (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Dualagi 16-1 (9-3) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 7l behind Efisio Princess (8-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up, smooth headway over 1f out, soon ridden, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Toms Laughter (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Chatshow (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, last of 5, 8l behind Love On Sight (8-12) at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol.
El Potro 5-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Tartatartufata (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
After The Show 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ran on through beaten horses, 7th of 12, 7l behind Toms Laughter (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Misaro (GER) 12-1 (8-8) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged left and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Financial Times (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Hart of Gold 9-1 (8-3) Pulled very hard, tracked winner to over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened from 2f out, 4th of 7, 9l behind Alexander Huricane (8-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.