held up last, taken to race on inside before 6th, gained a place 4 out, 4th and no impression run-in
raced wide throughout, tracked leader, led before 8th, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, went 2nd again towards finish, no chance with winner
raced wide in 5th, pushed along after 3 out, 5th and struggling before next
raced on inside, headed and lost 2nd before 8th, weakening when hit next, tailed off
raced wide, went 2nd before 8th, led 2 out, clear between last two, stayed on strongly
pulled hard early, raced on inside, tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, soon 2nd, ridden and well held between last two, hit last, no extra in 3rd towards finish
Sermando turned in a shocker at Lingfield last month, though may not have been suited by the heavy going. ART OF DIPLOMACY (NAP) and Gazette Bourgeoise left their rivals in another parish when fighting out a finish at Hereford nine days ago. Richard Newland’s charge couldn’t match the finishing speed of his market rival on the run-in but has come on in leaps and bounds since tackling this sort of trip and will be 5lb higher from next week. Be The Difference couldn’t cope with an 11lb rise when on a hat-trick at Ffos Las but is also much improved and makes more appeal than Bill Baxter, who was a beaten favourite at Ayr last month but might enjoy the stiffer test of stamina.
Dalyotin (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Mid-division, towards rear from 2nd, well beaten before 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Celebre D'Allen (11-5) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Bill Baxter (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Led, clear 2nd, not fluent 5th, reduced lead 8th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Half Track (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Sermando (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, some headway turning in, well beaten in 7th when virtually pulled up before the last, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Mister Watson (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Perfect Man (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Midfield, lost place 8th, towards rear 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind The Brimming Water (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Art Of Diplomacy 4-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd final bend, pressing winner last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Gazette Bourgeoise (11-8) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Be The Difference (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Mid-division, closer on inside approaching 5th, 3rd 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, awkward and headed next, chased winner, ridden and well held run-in, lost 2nd inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Treasure Dillon (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
