raced keenly, tracked leaders, close 3rd after 2f, 2nd 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung both ways inside final furlong, all out (demoted to 2nd)
slowly into stride, held up and behind, no chance when hung left over 1f out
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and staying on when hampered inside final furlong, soon switched right and ran on well towards finish, just failed, unlucky (awarded race)
slowly into stride, headway on inside over 1f out, switched left and stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
led 2f, pressed leader until 2f out, rallied between horses in 2nd and every chance over 1f out, ran on, lost 2nd post
pressed leader and keen, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in 6th, pushed along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, no danger after
held up and always towards rear
chased clear leading pair 2f, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened over 2f out
Salute The Soldier just failed bidding for a hat-trick at this venue in December but Executive Force was still beaten five lengths when second at Kempton in search of a five-timer. Collateral form with the latter gives TOUGH REMEDY (NAP) every chance dropping down in class after finding the progressive Matterhorn too good at Chelmsford but finishing in front of Michele Strogoff. Keith Dalgleish’s charge gets the vote given he beat Ballard Down when scoring at Newcastle earlier. Mythical Madness rarely wins nowadays while recent course winner Illustrissime faces tougher opposition today off a 7lb higher mark.
Salute The Soldier (GER) 5-6fav (9-3) Tracked leader, took keen hold, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Original Choice (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Ballard Down (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway on stands rail 1f out, not trouble leaders, last of 9, 11 1/4l behind Keyser Soze (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Mythical Madness 14-1 (9-7) Reared badly start and slowly away, soon recovered and in touch, pushed along over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 5th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Sha La La La Lee (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Executive Force 4-1 (8-7) In touch, not clear run 2f out, ridden and headway to chase clear winner entering final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Matterhorn (9-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Tough Remedy (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Matterhorn (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Gurkha Friend 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, outpaced in last pair, driven along 3f out, never on terms, last of 9, 19 1/4l behind Weld Al Emarat (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Michele Strogoff Evensfav (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 2l behind Swiss Storm (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Illustrissime (USA) 4-1cfav (9-7) Held up in mid-division, going well when not clear run on inner over 2f out, headway chasing leaders and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Singing Sheriff (8-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Contrast (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Led until 2f out, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 7 3/4l behind Helovaplan (9-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Staplegrove (IRE) 2-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, led after 1f until over 3f out, chased leader, led again hung left and carried head high over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra in 3rd soon after, 3rd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Kaanoon (9-6) at Windsor 1m stks (5) gf in Jun.
