mid-division, headway 6h, ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent last, beaten when not much room towards finish
mid-division ridden and struggling after 5th, towards rear when slightly hampered 6th
not keen early, always behind, tailed off
took key hold in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led before last, headed and hung left flat, no extra
dwelt, took keen hold, prominent, mistake 5th, fell 6th
in rear, hampered 6th, soon ridden, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish
took keen hold in mid-division, switched right headway approaching 2out, stayed on flat, not trouble winner
held up towards rear and keen, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed after 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 4, weakened approaching 3 out
always towards rear
winner, towards rear, headway after 7th, led flat, soon edged left, stayed on well
prominent, not fluent 5th, weakening when mistake 6th, tailed off
chased leader until led after 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
held up and behind, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
Cold Mountain has more to do than when winning at Exeter last time and preference is for Almizan, who gets the vote ahead of Grand Slam Hero. The last mentioned has run consistently well of late and is entitled to be thereabouts again but may have to settle for minor honours. Rajayoga ran better at Uttoxeter last time but needs to improve again to trouble the judge, while City Streets is less exposed than most of these but needs to improve on the form shown in recent outings. Dune Raider may be a shade high in the weights at present, while Magical Legend is again likely to find at least one too good. Preference then is for top weight Almizan, who looks to be going the right way and is taken to defy a 6lb rise for his latest success at Fontwell.
Almizan (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 6th, went 3rd 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Burren Legend (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dune Raider (USA) 5-2 (11-11) In touch, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Pocket Too (9-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Moon Catcher 9-2co-fav (10-6) Held up, driven along 8th, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, edged left approaching last, edged left and no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Grave Doubts (10-1) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
Magical Legend 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, soon headed, 2nd and held when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Blaeberry (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 8-13fav (11-9) Always prominent, ridden and every chance 3 out, no impression on winner from next, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Key Phil (10-2) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Rajayoga 50-1 (9-13) Held up, headway 7th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Salut Saint Cloud (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Made virtually all, headed briefly 5th, ridden after 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Red Society (11-10) by 3l, 7 ran.
City Streets 5-1 (11-8) In rear, mistake 8th, pulled up soon after pulled up 4 out in race won by Karoo (9-10) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Mar, 8 ran.