raced wide tracking leaders, tracked leading pair at 5th, went 2nd and not fluent 10th, led after next, pushed clear after 3 out, 4 lengths ahead next, reduced lead before the last, headed and no extra final 150 yards
off the pace in last pair, pushed along and struggling before 13th, hit next, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
raced wide tracking leaders, lost 3rd at 10th, rallied 10th, weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
waited with in rear, smooth headway approaching 13th, chased clear leader turning in, closer at the last, led final 150 yards, comfortably
tracked leaders on inside, hit 13th outpaced and lost place, rallied before 2 out, went modest 3rd 2 out
led after 1st until 6th, chased leader, blundered 8th, lost 2nd 11th, chased leaders, ridden and struggling in well held 4th turning in, weakened soon after
led until after 1st, pressed leader, in front again 6th, headed after 11th, chased clear leader until pushed along turning in, weakened soon after
NonRunner
Recent Musselburgh winner Amour de Nuit was beaten 10 lengths when third behind the classy FANION D’ESTRUVAL at Newbury with Phoenix Way unplaced. The latter did much better when second over 3m here last month but the hat-trick seeking Palmers Hill will carry the first colours of JP McManus, though has been raised a further 8lb and Venetia Williams puts up 7lb claimer Lucy Turner to help the top weight. None of the others can be dismissed out of hand with both Killer Clown and Golden Whisky ready winners last time out.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led before 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Colorado Doc (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Palmers Hill (IRE) 7-2cfav (10-11) Mid-division, shaken up and went 3rd 4 out, ridden before 2 out, headway to press leader before last, led final fence and ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Diego Du Charmil (11-10) by 9 1/2l, 9 ran.
Killer Clown (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Midfield, went second 11th, led going well approaching 2 out, went clear before last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Slate House (11-1) by 9 1/2l, 6 ran.
Phoenix Way (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear, effort and headway 4 out, not fluent 4 out, went into 3rd 3 out, pushed along and pressed leader before 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on but always held, 2nd of 13, 4 1/4l behind Annsam (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Larry 5-1 (11-5) Held up and behind, bad blunder 12th, headway bypassing omitted 3 out, no impression in 5th soon after, weakened run-in, 6th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Highland Hunter (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Golden Whisky (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, strongly pressed leader 4 out, pushed along and led after 3 out, pressed and ridden final fence, stayed on strongly, always doing enough, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating When You're Ready (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Knight In Dubai (IRE) 7-2cfav (10-13) Prominent on outside, led 5th, ridden and pressed before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra thereafter, 3rd of 9, 13 1/4l behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Chased leader, took it up travelling well 4 out, went clear last, eased down flat, never in any danger, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Nietzsche (10-13) by 8l, 5 ran.
