tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression on winner before last, went 2nd and stayed on same pace flat
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, lost place before 10th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 12th, headed 3 out, soon led again, headed and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway 10th, mistake and pecked 3 out and 2 out, one pace and no impression on winner
held up in rear, hit 9th and stumbled, struggling after, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, not fluent 9th or 4 out, led 3 out, soon headed, led again before next, clear approaching last, stayed on well
held up towards rear, hampered 10th, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
in rear, not fluent 9th, closed 11th, hanging left approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
The top two - Denali Highway and Indian Daudaie - have been off the track for a long time. Milgen Bay won over course and distance last year and is only 6lb higher than for a recent success at Fakenham so should be thereabouts. Crafty Roberto has been second in three of his five chase starts and should be winning soon but we'll give a final chance to FOUNDATION MAN. Racing over 3m on soft going last time at Exeter was too much for him but he had looked on the way back over this trip at Wetherby earlier and has been dropped 7lb since - Patrick Cowley's claim further reduces his burden.
Denali Highway (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Midnight Sail (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Indian Daudaie (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, disputed lead from 4th, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Liberty One (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased winner, led briefly after 13th, lost 2nd 4 out, soon struggling, hit 2 out, plugged on into modest 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 24 1/4l behind Houston Dynimo (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Crafty Roberto 9-1 (11-7) In touch in mid-division, headway after 3rd, ridden 3 out, one pace next, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Johnny Og (10-12) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Macnab (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In rear, slow 8th, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Village Vic (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Foundation Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until after 3rd, closed 6th, weakened before 11th, behind 13th, soon pulled up, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Milgen Bay 7-1 (11-10) With leaders, led 12th, pressed from 3 out, just held on near finish, all out, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Road To Freedom (11-12) by hd, 7 ran.
Midnight Chorister 6-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake 3rd, never dangerous, 6th of 7, dist behind Artifice Sivola (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Tregaro (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway before 10th, lost place 4 out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Kodicil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
