led, pushed along before 2 out, edged right before last, headed soon after last, no chance with winner
held up in 4th, closed 4 out, went 2nd on bit after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, cruised clear
chased leader, not always fluent, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd after next, mistake last, dropped to 4th flat, kept on
held in 3rd, closed 4 out, not fluent next, soon outpaced, went 3rd after last, no impression, kept on
NonRunner
The wonderfully-versatile Magic Of Light is bidding for a hat-trick of victories in the Grade 2 having won a chase at Newbury last month which she also took in 2018 and 2019 but she have met her match this year in the shape of ROKSANA. The Skelton mare won a Grade 2 on her reappearance at Wetherby and was then a close third in the Long Walk Hurdle here behind Paisley Park and Thyme Hill - that’s easily the best recent form on offer. Eglantine Du Seuil is no mug as she showed when second in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time and she is also a previous Grade 1 winner.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 1-2fav (11-2) Jumped well and travelled strongly throughout, clear 4 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 7f lst (1) sft in Dec beating Sensulano (11-0) by 8l, 3 ran.
Roksana (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Waited with in rear, steady headway on inside on long run before 2 out, close 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at the last, never getting to leader and weakened into 3rd final 110 yards, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Paisley Park (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Coded Message 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed before next, not fluent 8th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Molly Ollys Wishes (11-2) at Kempton 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway and switched left before last, close up when pecked slightly at the last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind The White Mouse (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Midnight Tune 12-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 8th, headed and pecked 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 32 3/4l behind Dawson City (10-10) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.