tracked leader, led entering straight over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably
led, headed entering straight over 2f out, stayed challenging until ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leading pair, pushed along over 3 out, ridden and swiched left to rails inside final 2f, challenged for 2nd final furlong, eased when held close home
chased leading trio, outpaced 3f out
took keen hold in last pair, ridden on outside 5f out, last and struggling over 3f out
held up in last pair, headway and pushed along over 4f out, outpaced and struggling in 5th over 3f out
PERSIAN SNOW looked a very smart prospect when forging clear of subsequent winners Balding Banker and No Secrets on his first start in a bumper over this C&D in October and can defy a subsequent absence. Mono Man won easily at Hereford last month but his trainer also saddles the well-bred Special Vintage, who may be a better long-term prospect. Oscara Dara will need to improve on his victory on the Fibresand at Southwell to follow up here and Destroyer Deployed may not have beaten much at Towcester, but newcomers Clever Dick, Kusadiki and Ransson are all worth noting for future reference in what may prove an informative finale.
Mono Man (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 4f out, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well, easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) sft in Jan beating Cocacobana (10-8) by 17l, 15 ran.
Oscara Dara (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway over 7f out, closed over 3f out, led going well 2f out, clear 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (3-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec beating Hackpenbay (11-6) by 10l, 12 ran.
Persian Snow (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct beating Balding Banker (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Kusadiki (IRE) Tobougg gelding out of Mother Molly.
Ransson (FR) Subotica gelding out of Cathou.
Special Vintage Grape Tree Road gelding out of Special Beat.
Destroyer Deployed 11-4 (11-4) Prominent, led 11f out, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, led again entering final furlong, driven and stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft beating Howard's Legacy (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Clever Dick (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Amitge.
