well off the pace in last trio, never a factor, tailed off and hampered 3 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, modest 4th before next, one pace
led, slithered badly on landing and headed 14th, chased leaders, weakened 16th, behind when fell 3 out
always prominent, 2nd briefly 13th, definite 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, soon joined, headed and stayed on same pace run-in
last pair, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
chased leader, hit 13th and lost 2nd briefly, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway on wide outside approaching 4 out 4 out, 5th and one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd before 2 out, close 2nd under pressure and good jump last, ridden and stayed on strongly to lead run-in
well off the pace in rear, headway on inside approaching 16th, pushed along and weakened after 3 out
mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened before 15th, behind when went badly left 3 out
chased leaders on inside, hit 11th, left in lead 14th, ridden and headed approaching last, soon lost 2nd, kept on same pace in 3rd
towards rear, mistake and reminder 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 14th, behind and no chance when badly bumped 3 out
mistake 1st, held up towards rear, headway on inside chasing leaders after 14th, weakened 16th
There is a question mark over a few of these regarding a step up in trip but On Tour is a strong traveller and was probably going best of all when unseating Mitch Bastyan in the race won by Gold Present at Newbury. Go Conquer is two from two this season and takes no prisoners but has gone up a further 9lb. O O Seven won over 3m over hurdles and was an eye-catcher on his reappearance while Singlefarmpayment would probably have been placed in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury had he not fallen three out. The five-year-old Frodon may prove the pick of the Nicholls pair as Ptit Zig just doesn’t convince over fences but the race should be run to suit YALA ENKI. He is a real staying type who is suited by soft ground and this is his time of year.
Ptit Zig (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Pressed leader, lost place 7th, rallied after next, mistake 9th, weakened 2 out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 4, 7 3/4l behind Top Notch (11-6) at Taunton 2m 6f (1) sft in Dec.
O O Seven (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, keeping on same pace in 3rd when crossed and switched right run-in, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Oldgrangewood (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Go Conquer (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led to 7th, tracked leader, led again 9th, made rest, drew clear before 2 out, ridden between last 2, unchallenged after, kept on, eased towards finish, won at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Rock Gone (10-8) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Frodon (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Last pair, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 3 out, rallied approaching next, 3rd before the last, never nearer but never any chance with impressive winner, 3rd of 9, 10 1/4l behind Top Notch (11-4) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
Regal Encore (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 20, 9 1/4l behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Yala Enki (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hampered 7th, led before 2 out, soon headed, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 7 1/4l behind Beware The Bear (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Singlefarmpayment 13-2 (10-8) Behind, steady headway approaching 4 out, staying on when fell next, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Gold Present (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Tended to jump right, led until after 12th, chased leader, challenged from 4 out, lost 2nd next, close 3rd, rallied gamely run-in, led final strides, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Warriors Tale (11-11) by nk, 12 ran.
On Tour (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Towards rear, good headway chasing leaders and going well enough when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Bigbadjohn (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Soon towards rear, never involved, 10th of 20, dist behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, effort between horses 2 out, switched left before last, led last, stayed on well run-in, won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Brandon Hill (11-10) by 7l, 8 ran.
Clondaw Cian (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, no threat to winner, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Barney Dwan (11-1) at Market Rasen 3m (4) gs in Dec.
Fortunate George (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leading pair, slightly hampered 10th, lost 3rd 12th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied in 2nd before 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led and went clear before the last, easily, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Ballotin (11-11) by 16l, 8 ran.
Icing On The Cake (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway on inside 4 out, no impression when hit 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Oldgrangewood (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
