tracked leaders, disputed lead 6th, lost place when ridden after 3 out, no chance with front pair from next, lost modest 3rd flat
close up on outside, mistake 6th, driven and unable to go with leaders before 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up in rear, lost touch 8th, rallied 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on into modest 3rd flat, no chance with clear pair
tracked leader, led narrowly 6th, pushed clear after 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, went prominent 6th, driven to chase winner after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression when not fluent last
led to 6th, with leaders, lost place 8th, behind from 3 out
Clondaw Storm, the highest rated here by some way, was a well-beaten eighth of nine last time and needs to bounce back from that disappointment. In contrast, VEILED SECRET, rated 8lb lower, delivered a more than pleasing chase debut at Musselburgh behind High Noon in a similar contest to this and should go close with the benefit of that experience under his belt. Life Knowledge has yet to jump a fence in public, whereas Getaway North has shown steady progression in three chasing starts and looks a threat. He actually finished behind Elixer here latest and it will be interesting to see if the latter can build on what was a dramatic improvement on previous runs.
Clondaw Storm (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, headway to track leaders 5 out,ridden 3 out, weakened last, 8th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Wenceslaus (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Veiled Secret (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Keen held up, headway 5th, led 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind High Noon (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Life Knowledge (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Led, ridden 2 lengths clear 2 out, headed flat, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Blooriedotcom (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Getaway North 3-1jfav (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, outpaced next, ridden after 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Ouro Branco (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Elixer (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway 5th, pressed leader on outside 7th, led 3 out, went right next, ridden between last 2, hit last, soon headed, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ouro Branco (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Peace Approved (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led until jumped slowly and headed 2nd, chased leader until before 4th, chased leading pair until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Summer Lightening (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.