tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, lost place before last, weakened
held up in rear, headway going well off last bend, led last, ran on well, clear inside final 100 yards, readily
keen early, led until after 3rd, pressed leader, led again after last bend, ridden and headed last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner inside final 100 yards
pressed leader, led after 3rd, ridden and headed after home bend, soon beaten, weakened last
tracked leaders, lost place before 3rd, not fluent 6th or 7th, closed 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, close 3rd last, stayed on flat, not pace of winner final 100 yards
held up towards rear, effort after 2 out, no impression, 7th and well beaten when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, 4th and one pace when jumped left last
A very tricky start to proceedings, though it's difficult to fancy Three Ways and Never Equalled. The latter steps up a few grades and has shown his best form on much softer surfaces. Solstice Star is very tough and had won five on the spin before his second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, though will almost certainly be going chasing next season. Mister Miyagi finished ahead of Holly Bush Henry in the Supreme Novices' here last month but his stamina over this trip will have to be taken on trust. ROCK ON OSCAR was beaten by Whataknight over 3m at Taunton in December but has won twice since over shorter and appears to have got his act together. The form of his latest victory at Taunton received a boost when the second bolted up next time at Wincanton so Paul Nicholls' entry can complete his hat-trick.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Towards rear on outside, outpaced 3 out, never able to challenge, 11th of 14, 28 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Mister Miyagi (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, towards rear, headway 2 out, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace, never on terms, 6th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Solstice Star 11-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, 2nd again 5th, led before 2 out until approaching 2 out, chased winner, held when hit last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Flying Angel (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Never Equalled (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Made all, joined 4th until approaching 2 out, pressed last, ridden out gamely, won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Mar beating Clondaw Cian (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Premier Bond 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistakes 5th and 7th, lost place after 3 out, rallied closing stages, never a threat, 4th of 5, 7 1/4l behind Yala Enki (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f (2) sft in Feb.
Rock On Oscar (IRE) 2-9fav (11-8) Made all and always going well, clear from 3 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar beating Fortunate George (11-1) by 11l, 8 ran.
Three Ways 5-2fav (11-0) In touch, tracked front pair before 3 out, challenged between last 2, ridden to lead before last, hard pressed flat, kept on towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar beating One Style (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Whataknight 4-11fav (11-9) Led narrowly, headed 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair from next, 3rd of 5, 17 1/2l behind You Say What (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Mar.
