tracked leaders, 2nd going well 2f out, led over 1f out, soon quickened clear, impressive
tracked leader until pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
led, pushed along entering straight, headed over 1f out, not pace of winner, kept on for clear 2nd
raced keenly, tracking leaders, pushed along and outpaced before straight, soon beaten, tailed off
held up in last pair, pushed along and outpaced on extended run-in, soon behind, tailed off
held up in 6th, mistake 3rd, lost place before next, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along before straight, kept on final 2f, went 3rd and one pace final 2f
took keen hold in rear, headway on outside approaching 3rd, (normal 4 out), weakened and hung right over 2f out, tailed off
held up in last trio, plugged on same pace in 4th final 2f
NonRunner
A cracking renewal featuring a number of promising types. Angels Breath swerved an easier assignment last week to take his chance in this Grade 2 and is held in high regard – his stable has won this three times in the last seven years. Paul Nicholls won it in 2013 and 2016 but his Danny Kirwan was beaten in a match at Kempton on his hurdles bow. Soft going would be a concern for Thistle Do Nicely and THOMAS DARBY has only raced on good ground so far but Olly Murphy’s charge was just beaten by a smart novice over course and distance last month, despite racing keenly, and any improvement on that would see him go close today. Encore Champs was a lucky winner at Wetherby and Seddon looks held on collateral form but Champagne Court won a shade cosily at Lingfield and the runner-up finished second again at Newbury on Wednesday.
Angels Breath (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Alw pr, 4th 1/2way, 3rd 4out trvl well & tr ldr 2out, sn ld & asserted bef last, kow, easily, won at Moira 3m mdn in Apr beating Tanrudy (11-11) by 12l, 13 ran.
Champagne Court (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leader, led going well 2 out, ridden clear run-in, eased towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Nordic Combined (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Danny Kirwan (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Led, not fluent 3 out, tried to quicken before 2 out, headed and outpaced between last 2, kept on same pace after, last of 2, 3/4l behind Crooks Peak (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Eclair D'Ainay (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, 4th and one pace between last 2, 4th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Kateson (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Encore Champs (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Raced wide, always prominent, led 3rd, headed 3 out, tracked leader, looked held when left in lead soon after last, ridden out, won at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Lord Yeats (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Garbanzo (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace in 4th when hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Surya (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Seddon (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) In touch in rear, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), driven to chase leaders after last (usual 2 out), ridden over 1f out, just got better of duel for 3rd near finish, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Sunday At Augusta (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Took keen hold and held up disputing 3rd at slow early pace, pushed along and progress into close 3rd 2f out, ridden in close 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Cuneo (12-0) at Tramore 2m hvy in Apr.
Thistle Do Nicely (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Mainly tracked leader, led soon after 2 out, ran on, comfortable, won at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Nov beating Beach Break (11-10) by 10l, 4 ran.
Thomas Darby (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, hit 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, joined flat, headed narrowly towards finish, ran on, 2nd of 8, hd behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-5) at Ascot 2m (2) gd in Nov.
