Soon led, joined 4th, headed 5th, mistake 8th, reminders after 9th, weakened rapidly and pulled up before 10th
Held up in touch, headway into second 8th, joined leader and still travelling well when falling 5 out
Chased leader, joined leader 4th, led 5th, almost joined when left alone 5 out, completed on his own
NonRunner
A couple of these have become expensive to follow but none of the quartet can be ruled out. Diomede des Mottes is one of only two booked rides for Harry Skelton and official ratings put the Hereford runner-up close to both EVA’S OSKAR and Thomas Macdonagh. Tim Vaughan’s gelding has the most scope, however, and is sure to have benefited from his run at Exeter. Jamie Snowden’s charge and Minella Trump are not certain to see out this trip.
Diomede Des Mottes (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Pressed leaders, led before 2nd, jumped left 12th, headed before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on under pressure but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind William Henry (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Eva's Oskar (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Midfield, awkward 1st and dropped towards rear, ridden before 4 out, modest headway before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 14l behind L'Air Du Vent (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Thomas Macdonagh 16-5 (11-7) Close up and chased leader, travelling well and pressed leader 3 out and 2 out (usually 4 out and 3 out), every chance last (usually 2 out), weakened run-in and lost 2nd final 110 yards, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Ask Me Early (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Minella Trump (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Midfield, hit 3rd, dropped towards rear 6th, ridden 10th, rallied 3 out but still well off the pace, no extra, 5th of 9, 24l behind Imperil (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
