held up, headway approaching 12th, led after 3 out, headed approaching last, not pace of winner run-in
chased leaders until lost place before 11th, soon behind
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 9th, pushed along approaching 2 out, weakened under pressure between last two
chaseed leaders, led 8th until 4 out, chased leader until mistake and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 11th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, steady headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, 2nd travelling well between last two, quickned to lead approaching last, soon clear, easily
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 11th, chased leaders 4 out, driven and went 3rd between last two, kept on but no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division approaching 11th, led 4 out until after next, chased leader until soon after 2 out, outpaced between last two, kept on again run-in
led, went left 5th and next, blundered and headed 8th, remained prominent until mistake and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, mistake 4th, pushed along after 12th, soon lost place
Marcilhac has been off for almost two years and has his first run in this country over fences. But he's worth a market check giving he had decent form in France on soft ground. The mare La Vaticane travelled strongly for a long way at Newbury last time and drops in distance. Dartford Warbler took advantage of a lenient mark to score at Market Rasen last time but the form of that race has not worked out and he's 10lb higher today. Mon Successeur has been looking a weak finisher while Mountain King jumped poorly at Newbury but Malibu Sun went down with all guns blazing back over fences behind Vision Des Champs at Sandown and should go close with a similar effort. The latter's trainer, Gary Moore, runs GORES ISLAND in this and he can't get much lower in the weights. He's also running into form, judged on his third at Taunton, and may now be ready to strike.
Mountain King 8-1 (11-3) Mistakes, held up towards rear, mistake 4th, blundered 6th, headway under pressure before 3 out, went modest 4th before the last, 4th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Grey Gold (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Marcilhac (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, hard driven when challenged from last, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 20, shd behind Carole's Destrier (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
La Vaticane (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 12th, 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner from 2 out, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 16, 9 1/2l behind Aloomomo (11-1) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Big Casino 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 10th until approaching 3 out, chased leading pair until next, weakened from last, 6th of 16, 24l behind Aloomomo (11-1) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Malibu Sun 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 8th, rallied after 10th, led narrowly before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, shd behind Vision Des Champs (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mon Successeur (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, 1 length up last, rider dropped whip, pushed along run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Otago Trail (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Gores Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Towards rear, blundered 9th, blundered 4 out, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Balgarry (11-10) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ultragold (FR) 6-1cfav (11-11) Prominent, every chance when fell 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Jumped left, made all, clear flat, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Shockingtimes (11-5) by 5l, 10 ran.
Johnny Og 25-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until 9th, chased leading pair until 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 5th of 10, 28 1/2l behind Arzal (11-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
