held up behind, pushed along after 3 out, ridden after next, plugged on after last, never nearer
held up mid-division, ridden and headway between last 2, stayed on into 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, driven after 3 out, ridden after next, never near leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced by front trio before 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up behind, struggling 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, chased winner after 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost well held 2nd flat
held up behind, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened next
pressed leader, led 4th, made rest, pushed clear when not fluent last, ridden out flat, comfortably
held up in touch, driven to chase clear leaders before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, never on terms
mistake 1st, made most to 4th, pressed winner, ridden and lost place between last 2, kept on but no impression flat
Second at Ayr last month following a lengthy absence, bumper winner Sao Maxence makes plenty of appeal in this. But FEARLESS has similar credentials and ran well at Market Rasen on his hurdling debut considering he was a shade keen in the early stages. If he settles better here, he should get his head in front. The latter’s stable companion Spirit Of Waterloo took a big step forward at Uttoxeter in November while Fazayte finished ahead of Yorvik and the disappointing No Regrets when fourth at Wetherby. Diodorus won at Dundalk for Aidan O’Brien and was placed several times over 2m on the Flat so should make a hurdler.
Cool Country (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, driven after 3 out, lost place when hampered on bend turning in, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Carys' Commodity (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Diodorus (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Led after 1f, quickened pace 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Nataleena (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Elite Icon 40-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, well behind 4th, 7th of 12, dist behind Goobinator (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Elusive Red (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went left and awkward 1st, lost place after 3rd, well behind next, 11th of 12, dist behind Goobinator (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Fabrication 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Pennine Cross (10-12) at Catterick 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Fazayte (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, hampered 1st, led 5 out, headed after next, soon rallied, weakened before last, 4th of 14, 34l behind Coconut Splash (11-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
No Regrets (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway 4 out, no impression, 7th of 14, dist behind Coconut Splash (11-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Sao Maxence (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Always prominent, hampered 5th, led before 3 out, ridden when joined between last 2, headed narrowly last, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Endlessly (11-5) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Special Brute (GER) 28-1 (11-3) Mid-division, remote 5th from 4th, mistake next, well beaten before 2 out, 5th of 12, dist behind Goobinator (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Yorvik 25-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, under pressure after 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Coconut Splash (11-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Fearless (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and just held for 2nd place close home, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Fix Sun (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Spirit Of Waterloo 33-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway 3 out, reminder after 2 out, took 4th flat, never troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Alnadam (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
