held up towards rear, behind final 4f, no chance when ridden and rider lost balance well over 1f out
made all, ridden 2f out, kept narrow advantage inside final furlong, held on gamely close home, all out
held up towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, hung left and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, no progress final 2f
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden one pace and no impression over 1f out
tracked leader until 8f out, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd on inside 2f out, ridden and upsides final furlong, strong challenge close home, just failed
chased leaders, went 2nd 8f out, lost 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
A few of these can be given a chance on their recent placed form. Leyte Gulf is one of those as he made the frame once again at Kempton a week ago and Lucky Diva finished runner-up over C&D last month. Imperial Fong was second over a shorter trip here last time and could figure, while Blue Cossack is not out of it if back to his best. However, ROYAL BONSAI has won twice over hurdles either side of finishing third over 1m4f at this track in November and if he can translate that improvement to the Flat, John Quinn's charge looks the one to beat.
Sendali (FR) 9-2 (10-7) In rear, good headway before halfway, kept on from over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 13, 13l behind Soprano (9-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Fantino 7-1 (9-8) Chased leader 2f, stayed in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Jamarjo (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Slowly away, held up in rear,headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Steady Gaze (9-5) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Inside Knowledge (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 4f out, went 3rd 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 29l behind Descaro (9-9) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Lucky Diva 10-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Maslak (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Royal Bonsai 10-3 (9-1) Chased leadrs, clipped heels and stumbled 5f out, outpaced and lost place over 3f out, rallied on outside to 3rd over 1f out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Royal Alcor (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Blue Cossack (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 10, 22l behind Prince Charlemagne (8-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Imperial Fong 50-1 (9-1) Behind, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Cadgers Brig (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Nesnaas (USA) 66-1 (8-7) Behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 21l behind Steady Gaze (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.