tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked leading pair until halfway, chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, effort on outside over 2f out, went 2nd and hung left inside final furlong, no impression and dropped to 3rd last 100 yards
led and set decent pace until steadied halfway, kicked on again 3f out, joined 2f out, ridden and edging left when headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along and struggling final 3f, never a factor
tracked leading trio, 3rd halfway until over 2f out, not clear run inside final 2f, and soon switched left, ridden edged left and stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, no impression
took keen hold, held up in 5th, pushed along and not quicken 3f out, edged left and struggling 2f out, beaten over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, headway on wide outside over 2f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, dropped to last over 4f out, struggling and no chance after
Nonrunner
Mythical Madness won his maiden over track and trip last July and remains unexposed - he may not have stayed 1m4f on his final start at Kempton. Tercel is a rare runner on the Flat for Paul Nicholls while Hedge End usually runs his race. Giantstepsahead won three times last year, though was well beaten off this mark at York in October. BALMORAL CASTLE won four times in 2014, including one over this course and distance. He made a very satisfactory return to action when fourth to Mahsoob at Newbury, when Franco's Secret was fifth, and can get back on the winning trail here as neither Highland Duke nor Vainglory look the force of old.
Mythical Madness 3-1 (9-2) Midfield, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, effort well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 9, 5l behind Anglo Irish (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Balmoral Castle 14-1 (8-11) Chased leading pair, 2nd well over 2f out, challenged in 2nd 2f out, soon every chance, ridden over 1f out, keeping on same pace in 4th when hampered inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 4l behind Mahsoob (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Highland Duke (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up, switched left and driven 2f out, never involved, 11th of 17, 17l behind Mahsoob (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Hedge End (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, soon held up towards rear, pushed along on outside over 3f out, headway chasing leaders under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Carthage (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Red Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Heisman (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Tercel (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, steadied rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 30l behind Dame Lucy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Franco's Secret 25-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside under pressure and hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 17, 7l behind Mahsoob (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Vainglory (USA) 33-1 (7-7) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 12, 12l behind Winter Thunder (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f app hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Oct.
Giantstepsahead (IRE) 8-1fav (9-5) Stumled start, soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders under pressure, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 19, 10l behind Open Eagle (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
