dropped out start, in rear, never near leaders
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, headway when not much room well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not trouble winner
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
made all, clear over 2f out, unchallenged
prominent early, mid-division, pushed along and headway 5f out, not clear run over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, chased winner over 3f out until 2f out, soon weakened
chased winner until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
soon prominent, ridden over 4f out, soon dropped out
mid-division, never really travelling, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Another competitive if poor contest where the marginal selection goes to THORNY MANDATE ahead of Adage while Dee Cee Elle could be widely over priced. The pick escapes with just a two pound mark rise after a comfortable enough victory last time over re-opposing rival Summer Lodge. He stayed on well that day to suggest this step up in trip will suit and he should have enough on these terms. Adage was going well in the autumn before a break and could take advantage of carrying a feather light weight. The form lines have worked out ok and he is certainly weighted to challenge. Dee Cee Elle looks overpriced here based on the pick of his hurdles form which includes a victory over a similar trip two starts ago. He'll have no problems with stamina and he has a decent shout at some place money with some solid efforts on the level also supporting the cause. Race Coincidence ran well over hurdles last time and should have the ability to outstay most of these, he also has some solid efforts over course and distance but in what is a really tough race to call we go for Thorny Mandate.
Russian Invader (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up, ridden to chase winner 2f out, driven entering final furlong, gaining on winner towards finish, 2nd of 4, hd behind My Friend Fritz (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Mar.
Highest Esteem 10-3 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 7l behind Weybridge Light (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Thorny Mandate 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar beating Summer Lodge (8-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
Rare Coincidence 4-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Lough Beg (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Prince Charlemagne (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Summer Lodge 18-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Thorny Mandate (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Chiff Chaff 9-2fav (8-13) In touch, ridden over 3f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Daraiym (8-2) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Dee Cee Elle 50-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 28l behind Sky Quest (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Born West (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 16l behind Irish Ballad (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Sixth Zak 12-1 (9-1) Held up, always in rear, 10th of 12, 13l behind Ergo (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Al Azy (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 7l behind The Graig (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Adage 5-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, fading when headed close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Compton Court (9-13) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Jetta Joy (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Elaala (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
