led until 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened quickly entering final 2f
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on final 2f, 4th inside final furlong, took modest 3rd close home
started very slowly, soon pushed along in rear, some late progress, never a factor
held up in 7th, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, no progress final 2f
tracked leaders in 5th, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd entering final 2f, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leaders, switched left 2f out, plugged on same pace and no impression in 3rd until dropped to 4th close home
mid-division, awkward on bend 6f out, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, no chance after
slowly into stride, always behind, pushed along halfway, never a factor
towards rear, pushed along 5f out, behind final 3f
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, chased leader until inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
Andrew Balding's stable has started the new season strongly and there is no reason to suspect that MAN OF HARLECH won't have learned plenty from a promising debut at Pontefract in September. The winner, third and fourth in that race have all won since. Russian Remarque was only beaten a neck over 1m2f at Kempton last month on his introduction while Curbyourenthusiasm and Rapunzel should have more to offer this year. Storm Rider, Villainous and the newcomers Principle Equation and Deadline Day are also worth monitoring, though the latter will probably need further in time.
Abdication 50-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, last of 9, 20l behind Arab Spring (10-0) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Started slowly, last pair, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Cloudscape (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Deadline Day (IRE) Montjeu colt out of Madame Cerito.
Mad Endeavour Muhtathir gelding out of Capefly.
Man Of Harlech 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, took keen hold early and held up, headway when not clearest of runs well over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Act Of Charity (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Russian Remarque 20-1 (8-8) Slowly away headway to track leader after 1f, led over 1f out, soon ridden 3 lengths clear, caught final strides, 2nd of 8, nk behind Wonder Weapon (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Mar.
Storm Rider (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride and bumped start, always behind, 11th of 12, 16l behind Extremity (9-5) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sep.
Villainous (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 15, 15l behind Matalleb (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd.
Beauchamp Melba Compton Admiral filly out of Ashford Castle.
Principle Equation (IRE) Oasis Dream filly out of Dame Alicia.
Rapunzal 10-1 (8-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Tullia (8-9) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Oct.
Cobham's Circus (IRE) Hernando gelding out of Protectorate.