steadied start, held up well in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, stayed on well, nearest finish
in touch, headway over 3f out, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, faded
in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on well under pressure
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
mid-division, headway when not clear run over 2f out, chased leaders entering final furlong, never a threat
tracked leader, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, under pressure over 4f out, soon outpaced, rallied over 1f out. stayed on well closing stages
led, hung badly right from 10f out, headed over 6f out, rallied over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard in midfield, weakened over 2f out
Cesarewitch winner Grumeti has been well beaten over hurdles subsequently and didn't run well on his return to the Flat at Ripon. Hidden Justice put some poor hurdles form behind him when landing a Class 4 at Doncaster but a 5lb rise takes him to a high enough mark. The Cashel Man shot up 11lb for an easy victory on fast ground at Newmarket and didn't look at his best on his final start at Ascot. MATORICO has been in winning form over hurdles and could be a blot on this handicap racing off 84 so gets the vote in a wide-open contest. Alphabetical Order goes for a four-timer and David O'Meara's charge scored over this trip before two victories over 1m4f though not surprisingly he's shot up the weights. Nicky Henderson loves taking on the Flat trainers and the useful hurdler Cardinal Walter can go well while Sisyphus is progressing nicely though takes a leap in class.
Cardinal Walter (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway on outside last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, kept on same pace, never on terms, 10th of 26, 11 1/2l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Grumeti 8-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Mirsaale (9-8) at Ripon 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Royal Marskell 66-1 (9-5) Raced wide, held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Moonrise Landing (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Saigon City 25-1 (9-7) In rear, some headway 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 11l behind Mirsaale (9-8) at Ripon 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Rite To Reign 8-1 (10-0) Slow into stride towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Star Rider (8-11) at Newmarket 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
The Cashel Man (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, effort on outside and hung badly right inside final 2f, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Burmese (8-9) at Ascot 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Matorico (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed laong after 3 out, headway on outside chasing leaders before next, stayed on run-in, went never nearer 3rd in closing stages, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Wind Place And Sho 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader after 1f, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Barwick (8-13) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Poitin 8-1 (8-12) Dwelt and pushed along early, soon raced in 10th, improved to challenge from 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, soon asserted, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr beating Ancient Sands (9-6) by 3l, 14 ran.
Alphabetical Order 7-2 (8-13) Raced keenly, tracked leader 1f, settled 4th, smooth headway 2f out, 2nd going well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, led close home, won at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Busy Street (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Katie Gale 9-1 (9-2) Led until over 2f out, weakened quickly soon after, behind and eased, last of 8, 35 3/4l behind Gavlar (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Aug.
Waterclock (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 5 out, soon in rear and weakened, 4th of 0, 30l behind Sugar Baron (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Sisyphus 12-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led after 5f, made rest, driven clear inside final 2f, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Argent Knight (10-4) by 4l, 10 ran.
Daliance (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 2nd after 5th until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened between last two, 5th of 8, 13l behind Libeccio (12-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Gabrial The Terror (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Rainford Glory (8-12) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Hidden Justice (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Close up, travelled well, headway over 3f out, joined leader 2f out, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, eased near finish, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Perceus (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
