chased leaders, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, under pressure after 3 out, rallied before last, kept on same pace closing stages
made all, drew clear approaching 2 out, ran on strongly
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th, tailed off
always behind, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, beaten 4 out, tailed off
Dashing Oscar won here and at Sandown before finishing third over a longer trip at Taunton. He’ll be fancied to pick up the winning thread again today but Cosmos Des Obeaux is an unknown quantity having his first run for Dan Skelton - he won at Auteuil in November, though the principals finished in a heap. COUSIN OSCAR could be the value as he gets 10lb from the previous winners and ran respectably at Wetherby last time when the runners came home at wide intervals.
Cosmos Des Obeaux (FR) (10-12) won at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Nov beating Cleny (10-10) by shd, 11 ran.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Chased leaders, chased (clear) leader 4th, closed before 2 out, where every chance but lost 2nd, driven in 3rd and stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind The Unit (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Cousin Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led before 4th, headed before last, one pace and no impression with winner, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Mr Big Shot (11-4) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Fulgus (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Jinked left and unseated rider 1st, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Jan.
Kilmoganny (IRE) 250-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, dist behind Brio Conti (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Marble Mist 50-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Top Ville Ben (11-9) at Towcester 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Subtle Soldier (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling final 5f, 13th of 14, dist behind Perfect Harmony (11-4) at Newbury 2m (6) sft in Jan.