in touch, headway to track leaders over 2f out, not clear run entering final 2f, switched right entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, pushed out, ran on, comfortable
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
never better than mid-division
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
keen close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
raced wide in touch, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
reared start and slowly away, in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
A four-year-old has won the last six renewals and John Gosden, who trained last year's winner Gatewood, looks to have strong claims of landing a double with LAHAAG. Well beaten when favourite for the Lincoln on his return, he was only beaten a head over 1m1f here in October and seems to cope with all types of going. By contrast, First Mohican has so far shown a liking for soft ground, although the longer trip may have been an excuse for his defeat in last year's November Handicap. Both Clayton and Ruscello ran well on their respective comebacks but look high enough in the weights and Irish import Fluidity is also 8lb higher than when scoring at Gowran last season. Recent Thirsk winner Itlaaq will find this tougher but Spifer and Bridle Belle are not without chances.
First Mohican 3-1fav (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded entering final furlong, 12th of 23, 12l behind Art Scholar (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Lahaag 13-2fav (8-12) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 17th of 22, 13l behind Levitate (8-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Clayton 11-2fav (8-9) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, staying on inside final furlong when slightly hampered, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Area Fifty One (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Prompter 20-1 (10-0) Keen close up, headway over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 20, 3/4l behind Crackentorp (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug '11.
Fluidity 25-1 (9-5) Took keen hold early and soon held up in mid-division, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Lady Loch (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Ruscello (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Prominent, not clear run over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, 3rd and held close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Niceofyoutotellme (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Apr.
Alfred Hutchinson 22-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 11th of 15, 8l behind Norse Blues (8-8) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Itlaaq 28-1 (9-2) In touch, headway from 3f out, pressed leaders over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead post, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr beating Entihaa (8-6) by hd, 11 ran.
Bridle Belle 25-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, weakened 2f out, 18th of 23, 16l behind Art Scholar (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Silvery Moon (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, one pace and no impression when hung left well over 1f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Lady Loch (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Fennell Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind No Heretic (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Eastern Destiny 13-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 17l behind Centred (8-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf.
John Biscuit (IRE) 11-1 (8-3) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Area Fifty One (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Spifer (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 4l behind Area Fifty One (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
