soon tracked leaders and keen, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from next
towards rear, headway before 3 out, in 4th and one pace before last
held up towards rear, reminder after 8 out, weakened before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, lost 2nd place run-in when no extra
led, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on
tracked leaders in 4th, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led run-in, kept on well
tracked leader, weakened from 4 out, pulled up
held up mid-division, soon towards rear, weakened before 3 out
CENTASIA was returning from a lay-off when scoring at Doncaster last month and is fancied to defy a 7lb rise with further progress expected. Nexius has been raised another 3lb for finishing fourth at Aintree while Mr Grey will find this tougher than the maiden race he won at Fakenham last time. Smooth Stepper is another facing a tougher task after winning a novices' event but A P McCoy's presence on Attwaal takes the eye and the latter may figure with a recent pipe-opener at Haydock under his belt.
Centasia 8-11fav (11-7) Made all, mistake 3 out, challenged next, drew clear last, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Pride In Battle (10-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Nexius (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, mid-division after 5th, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dawalan (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Harry Hunt 33-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th until ridden before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 10, 12l behind Batavir (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Attwaal (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Midfield, headway 4 out, mistake next, every chance 2 out, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Sleepy Haven (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Mr Grey (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Made all, set moderate pace, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Amidon (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Smooth Stepper 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, soon lost 2nd place, regained 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Apterix (10-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
Premier Sagas (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Hdwy 12; wknd app 2 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Executive Benefit (11-12) at Cheshire 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Feast Of Fire (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Towards rear, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 11l behind No Planning (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
