went to post early, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, mistake last, no chance with winner
jumped well, made virtually all, 2 lengths ahead going well 3 out, over 5 lengths clear last, kept up to work after last, stayed on strongly
held up in 4th until outpaced and dropped to last and mistake 6th, never on terms after, tailed off
held up in 5th, closer in 4th 6th, jumped left 9th, blundered and weakened next
pressed winner until 9th, chased leading pair, ridden and weakened and mistake 2 out
Darebin has made a promising start to his chase career and has yet to finish out of the frame in four runs. He’s been left on the same mark, despite a close-up third last time at Sandown, and dropping back to 2m should aid his cause. He gets 10lb from Catterick winner DIVINE SPEAR but the latter has more scope and the form of his victory has been franked. Exitas won a Listed handicap here last month. He’s 10lb higher now but can be forgiven his latest run, which was over hurdles. Prairie Town went close in a couple of tries over fences last season while I See You Well has been getting closer as he slips down the weights, though may still find a couple of these too good.
Exitas (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) In touch, effort after 3 out, weakened before last, 8th of 11, 16 1/2l behind A Hare Breath (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Divine Spear (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov beating Alzammaar (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Darebin (GER) 9-2 (11-6) Close up, ridden on long run to 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Touch Kick (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Prairie Town (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Global Thrill (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
I See You Well (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Led, headed 3rd, lost 2nd place from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Drumcliff (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.