always prominent, led approaching 2 out, went left last, ran on well, eased near finish
held up behind, ridden and steady progress after 3 out, no further impression after next
led until 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, one pace from next
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, not reach leading pair
mid-division until weakened 3 out
pulled hard, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, gradually faded
always behind
lost touch 4th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
led 2nd until 3rd, prominent, led after 3 out, headed next, carried left last, no extra
took keen hold in touch, hung left on bend approaching 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before last
Raslan gets the vote over Oldrik, Abutilon and Pantherus to name but a few. Despite having to shoulder a penalty, Raslan appears to have obvious claims, and is taken to follow up his Fontwell success. Granted, he was a bit lucky to collect at the Sussex track as one of his nearest rivals came down two out, but the soft ground today should bring the former Mark Johnston inmate's stamina into play, and he can find the necessary improvement to prevail. Ex-German Oldrik had the misfortune to line up against Pauillac on his British bow at Newbury, but shaped well enough after an early mistake, and should be well up to opening his account at this level soon, while Abutilon has more experience than most, plus the assistance of Tony McCoy, so has to merit a mention. Pantherus has been purchased by Michael Tabor bit is best watched on his debut for Jonjo O'Neill, and we are happy to stick with Raslan on this occasion.
Raslan 5-4fav (10-12) In touch, tracked leaders 6th, led soon after 2 out, kept on, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Sa Nau (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Abutilon 50-1 (10-7) Behind, hit 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, never a factor, 10th of 16, well behind Pancake (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when blundered 2 out, 12th of 15, well behind Pauillac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Conservation (FR) 4-1 (9-3) Led 2f, with leader, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Galactic Star (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Ivans Ride (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Risk Runner (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Learning The Blues (FR) 21-1 (10-3) held up, headway 3f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Pommerol (9-13) at Enghien 2m 1f stk in Nov.
Manathon (FR) 9-4fav (8-13) close up, challenged final furlong, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Rombaldi (8-4) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f clm in Oct (Flat).
Oldrik (GER) 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, headway next, hit 2 out, weakened, 6th of 15, 38l behind Pauillac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pantherus (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) never dangerous, 7th of 18, 10l behind Spectaculaire (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 4f stk in Aug (Flat).
Participation 80-1 (10-9) Towards rear and keen, behind from 4th, 9th of 13, well behind Liberate (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Saxon Star (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Led, headed after 3f, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 23l behind Cool Isle (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Time Out (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 33l behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In touch until saddle slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Pancake (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Lady Josh 100-1 (10-7) Jumped poorly, always in rear, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind King's Revenge (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy.
My Matilda 50-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon behind, 9th of 13, 37l behind Quartano (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
