held up in rear, mistake and went right 3rd, outpaced in 6th after 3 out, weakened
raced wide, chased leaders until lost place 6th, towards rear, weakened quickly before 3 out, never on terms after
raced keenly, led, hit 4 out, headed next, chased leader, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, no impression when lost 3rd last, plugged on
tracked leader, led 3 out, taken wide in straight, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened, not recover
keen, chased leaders on outside, pushed along and came wide before 2 out, soon beaten
held up in last pair, struggling 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, challenged going well before led 2 out, wandered and idled under pressure run-in, always just doing enough
held up in touch, good headway on inside chasing leaders 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, every chance last and early run-in, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, went modest 3rd last
Vivas appeared to run above expectations when fifth in a Grade 2 here last month and may have finished closer but for being hampered. Court Minstrel beat Sam Spinner in a Grade 3 at Chepstow in the autumn and has been a grand servant to connections. LE PATRIOTE attracted significant support at Cheltenham last month on just his second start for Richard Newland. He appeared to find the trip too short so the extra yardage here should see him in a better light and he should be approaching peak fitness now. Fixe Le Kap has had a wind operation since beaten over fences and would have every chance on his best form while Friday Night Light and Kildisart have been progressing well. Dieg Man is also on an upward curve and his latest win has been franked but the handicapper has taken no chances.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, tracked leaders after 3 out, went 3rd before last, driven and kept on same pace flat, no real impression, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Stamp Your Feet (10-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Fixe Le Kap (FR) 1-5fav (10-13) Jumped well, reminder after 3 out, ridden when joined next, headed under pressure last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Not Another Muddle (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Stowaway Magic (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked winner, led 7th, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced and well held from last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Peter The Mayo Man (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Kildisart (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to chase winner after 3 out, ridden between last 2, held flat, 2nd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Golan Fortune (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dieg Man (FR) 2-5fav (11-8) Held up in touch, smooth headway on outside after 3 out, challenged when left in lead next, shaken up after last, driven out, readily, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan beating Blottos (11-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Solstice Star 16-1 (10-9) With leader to 6th, chased leaders, struggling 12th, behind when blundered 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Mister Whitaker (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Le Patriote (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Remiluc (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Friday Night Light (FR) 5-2jfav (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, joined leader 4 out, led after next, headed before omitted last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Unison (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Vivas (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, badly hampered 7th,plugged on from 3 out, never threatened, 5th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Jenkins (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
