held up behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 7f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong
held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out
led, headed over 5f out, soon pushed along, quickly weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off
tracked leader, took keen hold, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, one pace
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, led over 4f out, headed well over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Given that the majority of today's opponents are out of form, MINISTRY looks to have a good chance to follow up his recent win over today's trip at Kempton. He's up 9lb for his four-length victory but there should be more to come over the distance. Dan Buoy showed a bit more at Pontefract last week and has dropped to a lenient mark if back to his best, while Barbirolli has won twice over 1m4f here and may appreciate the longer trip. It's hard to make a strong case for any of the remainder, though Resplendent Ace and Simple Jim have the past form to figure.
William's Way 25-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up, always behind, 9th of 12, 25l behind Katies Tuitor (9-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 18l behind Kepler's Law (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Simple Jim (FR) 7-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 12l behind Miss Ferney (8-9) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Ministry 6-1 (8-13) Raced keenly in touch, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Delorain (9-1) by 4l, 11 ran.
Dan Buoy (FR) 25-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon led, clear after 2f until over 4f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind May Contain Nuts (8-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Himalayan Moon 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, lost place when hit rail after 6f, struggling over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Katies Tuitor (9-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Prickles 25-1 (9-0) Held up towrads rear, well beaten over 1f out, last of 11, 13l behind Shouda (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Barbirolli 25-1 (8-12) Held up towrads rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Boa (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Mountain Myst 20-1 (8-2) Chased leading pair until ridden along over 6f out, stayed in 3rd under pressure, one pace final 2f, 4th of 5, 13l behind Fire Fighter (9-7) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.