steadied start, held up in last pair, some headway on wide outside and edged left over 1f out, never threatened
tracked leading trio, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, edged left and led final strides
off the pace in 5th, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, no headway
held up in 6th and off the pace, kept on same pace in 4th final furlong, no impression
quickly away, led on rail and set strong pace, hanging left from halfway, ended in centre of course with rival over 2f out, hard ridden and narrowly headed inside final furlong, outpaced into 3rd close home
chased leading pair, pushed along before halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear
Nonrunner
Ed De Giles' string is well forward and Smidgen has already won twice on the all-weather this year. Bushcraft has a lengthy absence to overcome but was a progressive sort two years ago. Kinglami won here in the autumn but it was heavy ground that day and he may not be as effective on a quicker surface. DINNERATMIDNIGHT's form tailed off in the second half of last year but he won at Warwick and Lingfield earlier and would go very close if the break has rekindled his enthusiasm as neither Light From Mars nor Quiet Warrior have shown much lately.
Slip Sliding Away (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, headway and edging left from 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Englishman (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct.
Bushcraft (IRE) 5-6fav (9-7) Bumped start, tracked leading pair, ridden inside final 2f, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on well to press winner towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 5, ns behind Blithe Spirit (8-8) at Chester 5f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug '13.
Light From Mars 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, went 4th close home, 4th of 9, 6l behind Canyari (8-11) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Quiet Warrior (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Raced wide, keen, close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Crew Cut (8-4) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Smidgen (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, eased near finish, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Lupo D'Oro (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Kinglami 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct beating Midnight Rider (9-2) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Soaring Spirits (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 19l behind Crazy Chic (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) in Apr.
Syrian Pearl 25-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Brigliadoro (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Dinneratmidnight 6-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and hampered over 1f out, well beaten after, 11th of 13, 12l behind Amadeus Wolfe Tone (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) in Oct.
