held up in touch in rear, tracked leading pair when hit 2 out, soon ridden and not quicken, no impression last, just held on for modest 3rd near finish
tracked leading pair, outpaced in 4th approaching 2 out, soon beaten, kept on under pressure flat, just held for modest 3rd near finish
tracked leader, upsides 3 out, led next, clear when edged right flat, ridden out, comfortably
led, not fluent 5th, joined 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
Just four runners here but all arrive in winning form. Alcala looked a smart staying prospect when easily beating a moderate field at Worcester and though taking a huge step up in class will have made further progress. Shantou Village is unbeaten in a point to point, a bumper and over hurdles at Carlisle where he came home virtually alone. It's difficult to know how good he is but we'll find out here. Champers On Ice landed a point to point in Ireland and was sold for £205,000 before heading back to Punchestown and scrambling home in a bumper. He looks a cracking prospect and gets 7lb from PENGLAI PAVILION but it is the latter who can remain unbeaten over timber. John Ferguson's charge, four times a winner on the Flat, gained facile victories in minor company before showing his quality when beating a better field in fine style over this track and trip and that should be good enough.
Penglai Pavilion (USA) 11-4 (11-6) Held up in touch in 4th, closed 3 out, challenged last, shaken up to lead final 150 yards, ran on well and drew clear, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct beating Laurium (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Alcala (FR) 1-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 5th, challenged going well 3 out, led before last, clear flat, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Captain McGinley (11-0) by 16l, 8 ran.
Shantou Village (IRE) 1-4fav (10-12) Led, headed before 6th, led 3 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Delusionofgrandeur (10-12) by 19l, 6 ran.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Prominent throughout, close 3rd halfway, close up and challenged from 5f out, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, just prevailed close home, won at Punchestown 2m 2f Good - Yielding in Apr beating First Figaro (12-0) by hd, 15 ran.
