with leaders to 3rd, tracked leaders, lost place 9th, weakened 3 out, pulled up approaching last
disputed lead, led 5th to 7th, with leader, lost place 3 out, weakened before last
held up in 5th, tracked leaders 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, kept on, 3rd and held when edged right near finish
tracked leaders, driven after 5 out, ridden to chase clear pair after 3 out, still plenty to do last, rallied flat, led final strides
held up in rear, hit 5 out, some headway before next, never on terms, ridden and weakened before 2 out, tailed off
made most to 5th, led again 7th, driven 3 lengths clear last, ridden flat, tired towards finish, headed final strides
It would be no surprise if the returning duo Caraline and Whitsundays were ready for action given the nice prize on offer having both won over 2m1f at Kelso when last successful. Present Flight represents last year’s winning yard and better is expected from him off his current mark but CALIVIGNY has also tumbled down the weights since finishing runner-up in this contest last year off a 12lb higher mark. A well beaten third over track and trip on his comeback, he still finished in front of both Romulus Du Donjon and Instingtive and with improvement expected on his second start after wind surgery, Neil Alexander’s charge may well bounce back to form in this.
Caraline (FR) 9-2 (12-2) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, held on well towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Vengeur De Guye (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Whitsundays (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, no impression in 3rd when ridden before 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 5, 30l behind Gold Opera (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
Present Flight (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, headway 13th, weakened before not fluent 4 out, 5th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Blakerigg (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Calivigny (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Well off the pace in mid-division, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, modest 3rd, 3rd of 11, 27 1/4l behind Ryalex (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Romulus Du Donjon (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, driven 8th, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Ryalex (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Instingtive (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Led until 6th, mistake next, led again 8th, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied and every chance flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Casual Cavalier (11-10) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.