tracked winner, outpaced when winner quickened clear before 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance after, ridden bypassing omitted 2 out, blundered and lost 2nd last, weakened flat
chased leaders, driven and outpaced before 3 out (usual 4 out), never able to challenge, weakened last
held up behind, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), chased clear pair bypassing omitted 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no chance with easy winner
in touch when hampered on landing and fell 3rd
blundered 1st, in rear, fell heavily 3rd
mid-division, hampered 3rd, lost place 8th, soon behind, ridden and kept on from last, snatched 4th post, never nearer
tracked winner, 3rd when blundered 9th, outpaced before next, hit 2 out (usual 3 out), never able to get back on terms, kept on flat
mid-division, hampered and dropped towards rear 3rd, never able to get back on terms, behind when pulled up before 7th
held up mid-division, hit 7th, ridden and headway bypassing omitted 2 out, never getting to leaders, well held 4th when blundered and unseated rider last
made all, quickened readily clear before 3 out (usual 4 out), in no danger after, driven out, eased towards finish, very easily
mid-division, driven after 9th, soon behind no danger after
behind, not fluent 8th, soon struggling, never involved
NonRunner
VOSNE ROMANEE was in good form prior to his winter break, winning a Listed race at Ascot when last seen. He has a good strike-rate over fences and is weighted to reverse Kelso running in October with Nuts Well. Richard Newland also has a decent chance with the unexposed Mcgroarty while Monsieur Co is improving at a rate of knots and gets in off bottom weight as he steps up in class. After winning easily at Wincanton, Magic Saint started favourite for the Grand Annual but never really looked like landing the gamble and finished behind Forest Bihan. A spin over hurdles at Kelso should have helped the confidence of Saint Leo and it’s too soon to write off Sandy Thomson’s French import. Ozzie The Oscar and Lillington are others to consider.
Ozzie The Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Prominent, led before 7 out, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 18 1/2l behind Cracking Find (10-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Forest Bihan (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, not much room after 3 out, not clear run before 2 out, soon switched right, went 3rd briefly flat, unable to challenge, edged right, no extra towards finish, 4th of 19, 5l behind Croco Bay (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Vosne Romanee 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, smooth progress on inside to lead 2 out, strongly challenged last, idled closing stages, held on well (1 fence omitted), won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov beating Champagne At Tara (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Magic Saint (FR) 9-2fav (11-8) In touch in mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and beaten before 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 19, 17 1/4l behind Croco Bay (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Waited with, raced in 13th early, closer in 6th after 9th, effort on stand's rail run-in, kept on without matching front pair, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Quamino (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Nuts Well 12-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Movie Legend (10-13) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leader until 3rd, chased leaders, mistake 7th, led 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 6 1/4l behind Yorkist (11-5) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Lillington (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, disputed lead 5 out, led approaching next, ridden and headed narrowly between last 2, regained lead soon after last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Master Work (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Veinard (FR) 10-3 (11-13) Held up in 5th, headway into 3rd on inner and slight mistake 3 out, led travelling well after next, ridden after last, strongly pressed and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Seskin Flyer (10-11) at Navan 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Azzuri 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 16, dist behind San Benedeto (11-5) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Dandridge 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd after 7th until 4 out, chased leaders, 3rd again 3 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, soon one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Another Crick (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Monsieur Co (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7th, chased new leader after next, led 3 out, clear when dived at last, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Civil Unrest (11-2) by 6l, 5 ran.
Saint Leo (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 6th of 12, 6l behind Winston C (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
