keen, chased leading trio, 3rd after 5th, 2nd and every chance when mistake 2 out, hit last and lost 2nd, no extra in 3rd run-in
chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th, lost 2nd briefly after 3 out, dropped to 3rd weakened before 2 out, left remote 4th last
held up in rear, made a place at 6th, chased leaders before 2 out, 4th and held when fell last
chased winner until 5th, chased leaders, lost 3rd after 5th, behind next
made all, edged right and reminder on paddock bend after 7th, ridden and edged left before last, edged left and stayed on run-in, strongly pressed near finish, all out
keen, held up in touch, headway 7th, outpaced next, weakened after 3 out
not fluent 1st, held up in touch, headway 7th, chased leaders before 2 out, went 2nd last, strong challenge close home, just failed
Triopas has been in fine form and bids for a hat-trick, though has nothing in hand on American Life on Market Rasen running earlier this month now he shoulders a penalty. DURBANVILLE only gave best approaching the last at Wetherby on his first try over 3m. He came up against a couple of well-handicapped rivals that day and this looks easier for Donald McCain’s unexposed novice. Secret Passenger may do better now handicapping but will need to.
Durbanville 7-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outer after 6th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and effort after next, no extra in 3rd when mistake last, 3rd of 13, 7 1/2l behind Pop Rockstar (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Mcvicar 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 34 3/4l behind Viserion (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Oregon Gold (FR) 33-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Led to 4th, in touch, lost place 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Pop Rockstar (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Triopas (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent when led 8th, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Max Dynamo (10-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
Secret Passenger (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader until 6th, soon ridden along briefly, 3rd and well held from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Dieg Man (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
American Life (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Close up, ridden and headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, driven next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Triopas (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
