mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 8th, challenged 4 out until before 2 out, disputing one pace 3rd last
prominent on outside, lost place 2nd, headway 6th, hit 13th, went 2nd 2 out, held by winner flat, stayed on
prominent, mistake 2nd, led 8th, headed next, lost place 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway before 3rd, not much room 8th, lost place 12th, well beaten 3 out
prominent, lost place 5th headway approaching 10th, chasing leaders 2 out, disputing one pace 3rd last
held up in rear, headway 12th, chasing leaders before 2 out, 5th and beaten last
led, very long the 4th and dragged hind legs through the fence, not fluent and headed 8th, led again next, headed 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, lost place 10th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway on outside from 9th, led 3 out, edged right after 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, driven out
Splash of Ginge won the BetVictor Gold Cup here in November but was well beaten on a return visit last month and has gone up a further 2lb since. Sametegal made a promising return from injury at Wetherby and was then third in the Grand Sefton at Aintree so must have every chance while Theinval is usually thereabouts, though struggles to get his head in front. BURTONS WELL has few miles on the clock and has had another break since second at Stratford in October but would go close if fully wound-up so is preferred to Quite By Chance, who is still looking a few pounds too high, and the frustrating Ballyhill. Last year’s winner Shantou Flyer has shown nothing since switching stables but Top Gamble may appreciate this drop in class.
Top Gamble (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) In touch, took closer order after 2nd, 2nd after 4th, under pressure and ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 25l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up 2 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 17, dist behind Splash of Ginge (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Quite By Chance 7-2 (10-7) Led until headed briefly 6th, headed 8th, chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, ridden and switched left approaching last, kept on again in closing stages, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sametegal (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 6th and 9th, headway after 3 out, mistake 2 out, disputing 2nd before elbow, no impression on winner, 3rd and held final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Gas Line Boy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Theinval (FR) 3-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 9th, went 3rd never any chance with easy winner, 3rd of 10, 13 1/4l behind Overtown Express (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Burtons Well (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up behind, challenged 3 out, led before last, headed last, rallied to lead briefly run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Romain De Senam (10-6) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Splash of Ginge 11-1 (10-10) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, pushed along 12th, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Guitar Pete (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Ballyhill (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Led 1st until 2nd, led 5th, headed before 8th, fell 10th, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
