led until 3rd, led again after next, headed 4 out, hard ridden and stayed on under strong pressure to lead after last
held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, hit 6th, weakened before 4 out
held up in touch, under pressure after 7th, ridden to challenge next, soon one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out
always behind, mistake 7th, never dangerous
held up in rear, stumbled after 7th, headway under pressure next, never on terms
prominent, led 3rd, headed after next, led again 8th, 10 lengths clear approaching 2 out, headed and no extra after last
Lough Derg's presence puts all bar Penzance out of the handicap and he should be able to hold these rivals at bay over this trip. Princelet and Peacock are feared most. The trip is obviously a concern, as to a lesser extent is the ground, as he has shown his best form at 3 miles but he has form at around this trip and cannot be dismissed as being simply a stayer whilst Tom Scudamore is sure to make plenty of use of him. Penzance has been running well this term and could feature whilst Hoh Viss stayed on dourly to win at Chepstow and should be running on strongly at the finish. Peacock continues to go from strength to strength and looked sure to take a hand in the finish of that contest when falling at the second last; he should make a bold bid to make amends. Princelet has to prove that he handles the ground but this progressive hurdler lost little caste in defeat to Nycteos last time and the form of that Kempton race looks rock solid. He could make the frame but Lough Derg is taken to continue his love affair with this track and take the honours.
Lough Derg (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Given easy lead and soon well clear, driven and stayed on strongly from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec beating Hardy Eustace (11-7) by 9l, 9 ran.
Penzance 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance briefly after 3 out, not pace at leading pair from next, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Hoh Viss 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, held up and behind, headway approaching 2 out, challenged last, stayed on under strong pressure to lead final stride, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy beating Shoudawoudacouda (10-0) by a hd, 11 ran.
Gold Gun (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 43l behind Hills Of Aran (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Princelet (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, not fluent last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Nycteos (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Paramount (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Towards rear, closer in 6th before straight, no impression under pressure from before 2 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Venalmar (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 sft.
Peacock (FR) 7-2fav (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, travelling well when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Hoh Viss (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy, 11 ran.
Warne's Way (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 15th of 20, well behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
