held up in last pair, weakened and pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out)
disputed 2nd behind clear leader, close up 7th, led next, driven and headed before last, no chance with winner in clear 2nd flat flat
disputed 2nd behind clear leader, close up 7th, lost place 2 out (usual 3 out), soon beaten
held up in 5th, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), soon weakened
held up in 4th, mistake 3rd, close up 7th, went 3rd after 2 out (usual 3 out), effort approaching bypassed 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with front pair before last
led, clear from 2nd until 7th, outpaced when blundered 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, close up 7th, smooth headway to track leader 2 out (usual 3 out), led going well before last when jumped left, kept on
Keep an eye on William's Wishes in the market on this first run after a lengthy absence but PEPITE ROSE is taken to get back on the winning trail here. Venetia Williams has enjoyed a tremendous month and her mare was arguably the stable success story of last season. She made a very pleasing reappearance when third here behind Gus Macrae at the last meeting and should be spot-on now. There seems no reason why she should not continue her upwardly mobile ways this term. Toubab has only enjoyed the five runs over fences and could progress into a very useful second-season chaser. He rates the main danger for the Nicholls team. Champion Court is consistency personified but this trip looks rather on the sharp side and Tanks For That is a likelier contender for the shortlist. He is not always the most consistent of performers but will be very dangerous if on a going day.
Tanks For That (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Edgardo Sol (11-0) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
Champion Court (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway before 4 out, soon joined winner, every chance 3 out, ridden and beaten before last, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Silviniaco Conti (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Mad Max (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Led 2nd, soon clear with one other until approaching 9th, headed before next, lost place before 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 37l behind For Non Stop (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f ltd hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Pepite Rose (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up and off the pace, steady headway to chase leaders 7th, went 3rd 3 out, disputing 2nd bypassing omitted 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Gus Macrae (9-12) at Ascot 2m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs.
Toubab (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair from 2nd, hit 5th, went 2nd 7th, 3 lengths down when blundered 2 out, well beaten after, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Marodima (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led 1st, headed after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 11, 12l behind Vulcanite (11-11) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
William's Wishes (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Made all, not fluent 3rd, clear after last, easily, won at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jan '11 beating Outside The Box (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
