chased (clear) winner, ridden inside final 3f, never any chance, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced in 3rd behind (clear) winner, outpaced over 2f out, plugged on into 3rd again inside final furlong, never any chance
raced keenly, disputing 3rd behind (clear) winner over 6f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, went well clear 8f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
slowly into stride, held up in rear and keen, headway and went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on but never any chance
MICHELLE STROGOFF was set a stiff task in a conditions' race here a week ago but ran well for third behind the 107-rated Hathal. Mick Appleby’s charge finished well ahead of Dragon Mall and can return to winning ways back in handicap company today. Mythical Madness and Nonios are closely matched on running here on Boxing Day and the former has subsequently finished runner-up at Lingfield to the progressive Matterhorn when the struggling Battle Of Marathon was well beaten.
Mythical Madness 16-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to chase winner just over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Matterhorn (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Nonios (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Pactolus (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Prominent on inside until weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 19l behind Matterhorn (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Michele Strogoff 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Hathal (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Dragon Mall (USA) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, headway on outside into modest 4th on home turn, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Hathal (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.