led, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous
always towards rear, pulled up
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 5 out, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place after 3rd, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
in rear, took keen hold, headway 5 out, went 2nd last, kept on to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, ridden before 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, every chance before last, weakened run-in
Morning Royalty looks to be facing a stiff task under top weight and Saphir River could also do with some help from the handicapper, though will love underfoot conditions. Cool Baranca is 16lb higher than when winning at Perth in September but was taking on better opposition last time. BIG WATER was far from disgraced on his reappearance at Wetherby and has been dropped a pound since. He's won on soft and heavy going so today's ground will suit and he makes more appeal than Ubaltique, who is better over further. Trucking Along may be the pick of the two Stuart Crawford runners.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, effort after 4 out, never on terms with leaders, jumped left 3 out, modest 5th but well beaten from 2 out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Ubak (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Saphir River (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, struggling 8th, 13th of 17, 44l behind Party Rock (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Ubaltique (FR) 11-10fav (11-0) Prominent and racing keenly when blundered last, soon held up in last, blundered 6th, headway 2 out, went 2nd after last, driven and stayed on to close on winner final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind In The Haven (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chase (4) sft in May.
Big Water (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, every chance before last, weakened run-in, 5th of 11, 6l behind Stormy Weather (10-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Cool Baranca (GER) 20-1 (10-5) Chased clear leaders, closed when not fluent 5th, lost place before 3 out, 7th of 10, 34l behind Karinga Dancer (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Oct.
Trucking Along (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, soon hung left, one pace, 4th of 7, 17l behind Lie Forrit (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Outrageous Request 14-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, soon tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Up To Something (11-5) at Carlisle 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Call Box (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leades, led before 4 out, hard pressed when not fluent last, soon headed and no extra, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Up For An Oscar (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Oct.
Titus Bolt (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, went 3rd and mistake 4th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Zuider Zee (11-1) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Mar.
