in rear, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, never showed
towards rear, went into 3rd after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon ridden and gradually faded
mid-division, hampered by faller 9th, headway to track leader 5 out, pushed along home turn, keeping on one pace and well held when bad mistake last
prominent, jumped left on occasions, hit 8th, still close up when fell 9th
led, mistake 8th, headed 9th, remained close up, hit 5 out, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out
handy, jumped left throughout, led and mistake 9th, went clear going easily before 2 out, kept on well, comfortably
not fluent 1st in rear, jumped left at times, headway into 4th 11th, ridden and chased leader before 2 out, soon left behind, kept on but never on terms with easy winner
Things went awry for MESSIRE DES OBEAUX after he beat Protektorat in a Grade 2 at Wincanton at the start of the year but he’s had a break and will be hard to beat if returning to his best form. Black Op is starting to look a light of former days and Danny Whizzbang is struggling while Legends Ryde only won a novices’ handicap at Ffos Las but L'Homme Presse was a cosy winner on his fencing bow at Exeter and Pencilfulloflead should appreciate this drop in class. Gordon Elliott’s charge won a Grade 2 at Punchestown last season and was then second in a Grade 1 at Limerick. This is his trip and he'll have a big say in proceedings if fully wound-up.
Danny Whizzbang (IRE) 22-1 (10-3) In rear, bad mistake 10th, ridden before 13th, soon struggling, pulled up before 16th, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Soon mid-division, pushed along briefly 5th, 12th approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 9th of 17, 30 1/2l behind Cayd Boy (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 4-6fav (11-8) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 9th, clear 12th, shaken up and reduced lead when not fluent 3 out, headed after 2 out, pulled up when beaten 2nd after last, dismounted, at Wetherby 3m (3) gs in Mar.
Pencilfulloflead (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, 3rd after 8th, pushed along in 2nd before straight, no extra from before 2 out where slight mistake, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Eklat De Rire (11-2) at Naas 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Black Op (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Led until before 2nd, chased winner until 13th, mistake next, struggling after 15th, well held from after 4 out, 5th of 7, 19 1/2l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
L'Homme Presse (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd after 11th, challenging when mistake 3 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Gunsight Ridge (11-1) by 6l, 8 ran.
Legends Ryde 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5 out, rallied next, led 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Lady Kk (11-11) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
