tracked leaders, lost place well over 2f out
awkward start, behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer
behind, late headway, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, sent forward to lead, headed over 4f out, quickly lost place
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on strongly
broke well, tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, switched right to challenge, weakened final furlong
Winning hurdler River Icon has only won a maiden on the Flat so far though went close at Hamilton last time but Contrebasse has looked high enough in the weights since scoring at Haydock earlier. Doctor Cross can figure if lasting home while Rubenesque arrives in fine form having won both starts last month, including a neck defeat of Forewarning at Pontefract. The latter is fitted with headgear today while Mick Easterby runs three with Sassie preferred to Manzil but the vote going to last year’s winner ARROWTOWN. He ended last season with a hat-trick and, with a couple of recent comeback runs under his belt and an apprentice’s allowance helping his cause today, he should go close again.
Aircraft Carrier (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until 6f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Land Of Oz (8-0) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Arrowtown 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 9l behind Alright Sunshine (9-13) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Knight Crusader 16-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 10l behind Themaxwecan (8-13) at Ascot 2m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Orin Swift (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up in 5th, closer in 3rd halfway until pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, soon weakened and behind, last of 7, 21l behind Past Master (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
River Icon 20-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, went 3rd over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Multellie (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Manzil (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Held up behind, struggling 3f out, soon beaten, 11th of 14, 17 1/2l behind Shamad (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Sassie (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, chased leader over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair final furlong, lost 2 places near finish, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Maid In Manhattan (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Rubenesque (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, niggled along over 4f out, led over 2f out, edged left over 1f out and inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Cotton Club (9-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
Doctor Cross (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Shamad (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Royal Cosmic 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Asian Angel (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Forewarning 8-13fav (9-11) Tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f, rider dropped rein inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Rubenesque (10-0) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Contrebasse 15-2 (8-10) Mid-division, driven when not clear run and switched right over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, snatched 4th near finish, never nearer, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Maid In Manhattan (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
