held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
always behind, weakened from 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Battle Of Marathon scored over track and trip earlier this month. He beat Emenem with a bit to spare on that occasion and given the latter went on to win at Lingfield beating Kyllachy Gala and Bronze Angel in the process, the form looks solid enough. But John Ryan’s charge had finished just behind MOUNT TAHAN (NAP) here before that and it’s the latter that gets the vote to go one better. Born To Be Alive remains unexposed and went close on his handicap debut at Goodwood in August while Grand Inquisitor won easily at York when last seen on the Flat but has a 13lb hike in the weights to contend with here.
Born To Be Alive (IRE) 11-4fav (8-11) Close up, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Monarchs Glen (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Kyllachy Gala 9-2 (9-10) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon every chance, ran on, 2nd of 9, shd behind Emenem (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Mythical Madness 14-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Mutawathea (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Emenem (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Mount Tahan (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Reared start and slowly away, in rear, pushed along 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Pactolus (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Grand Inquisitor 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, took keen hold, mistake 4th, 4th after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 14, 28 1/2l behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Bronze Angel (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Emenem (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Emenem 2-1fav (9-2) Close up, effort over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Dec beating Kyllachy Gala (9-10) by shd, 9 ran.