in touch, ridden over 6f out, weakened final furlong
soon prominent, weakening when not much over 3f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon not much room, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
started slowly, behind, steady headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, carried right over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, mid-division, outpaced 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4f out
York Cliff may prove best ahead of Movie King, Cumbrian Knight and Spitting Image in the finale. York Cliff is only plating class these days, but is worth a try over this 14 furlong trip after the way that he stayed on over shorter here last time. He did not get the best of runs either and should get a good ride from Patrick Mathers. There are no problems with Movie King's stamina as he has been seen in action over hurdles in the past, and was fourth in a claimer here last week. Cumbrian Knight was successful over the course and distance in an amateurs' event 11 days ago, a first win on the Flat for this predominantly National-Hunt horse, and as he obviously goes well for an inexperienced pilot, is another to consider. Spitting Image showed considerable improvement to break the course record over two miles here the time before last, but flopped next time when sent off as favourite. With Greg Fairley up again, he will be a popular choice over this less exacting trip, but in a fairly open end to proceedings, York Cliff is given the vote on the strength of his latest efforts.
Spitting Image (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Chased leaders, driven and one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 5l behind Reggae Rhythm (9-6) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 5f out, not much room over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Principal Witness (10-11) by 4l, 13 ran.
Movie King (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Prominent, led 9f out, headed well over 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Tranquilizer (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Piper General (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs in Nov beating Silsong (8-4) by 12l, 12 ran.
York Cliff 9-2 (9-6) In rear, headway on inside 3f out, not much room over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Sea Map (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Pearson Glen (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 13l behind Intavac Boy (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Valeureux 15-2 (10-0) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, driven and lost place when not clear run 2f out, no danger after, 8th of 20, 11l behind Let It Be (8-7) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (F) gf in Jul '04.
Sugitani (USA) 18-1 (11-3) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Active Account (10-9) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
