mid-division, headway approching 6th, went 2nd 2 out, soon lead, stumbled last, pushed clear flat
held up, headway 7th, ridden and weakened after 8th, no chance when bad mistake 2 out
held up, headway 7th, lead on bit approaching 2nd out, headed and soon ridden after 2 out, one pace and lost 2nd flat
always behind, tailed off
well behind from 6th, tailed off
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and ran slightly wide on bend approaching 2 out, hung left and went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
with leader, lead 2nd to 6th, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders until mistake 4th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, lead to 2nd, lead approching 6th, headed 7th, ridden after 8th, weakened from 2 out
Classical Ben can make experience count over Moscow Blue, with Vivante expected to figure somewhere in the finish as well. With the Flat season still in full swing it is interesting that Richard Fahey takes time out to saddle Classical Ben in his bid to add to last March's Hexham victory. That came on soft ground and it has to be said that his best efforts have been with some cut in the ground. However, quite a few of them were against much better company than this and despite the lack of a run, his class should see him through. Moscow Blue won well on his timber debut over the course and distance but as a four-year-old carrying a penalty he has a tough task, while Vivante was just touched off in amateur company here last time and looks booked for the frame again. The rest are hard to make a case for, and we return to Classical Ben as the answer.
Classical Ben 7-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead last, held on well towards finish, won at Hexham 3m nov hdl (E) sft in Mar beating Em's Royalty (11-2) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Moscow Blue 33-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4th, headway 7th, led approaching last, kept on well, won at Worcester 3m nov hdl (E) gf in Aug beating Ballynattin Buck (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Cap Classique 40-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 8th, 6th and in touch when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Charango Star (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (F) gf in Jul, 10 ran.
Expensive Folly (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place after 3rd, soon behind, 8th of 10, well behind Kilindini (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
One Of Them 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led briefly 9th, ridden and weakened next, 6th of 11, 36l behind Fantastico (11-3) at Perth 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Potts of Magic 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 20, 24l behind Marathea (10-3) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Vivante (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Always prominent, every chance from 2 out, ran on, 2nd of 20, hd behind Marathea (10-3) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Dark Rum 28-1 (10-12) Behind, some headway 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 27l behind Kilindini (11-3) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug.
