pressed leader, led narrowly after 2 out, driven and headed flat, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, effort turning, upsides last, ridden to lead flat, kept on when headed closing stages
mid-division, lost place 3 out, ridden after next, kept on under pressure before last, never going pace to challenge
held up behind, driven after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, never nearer
held up behind, hit 3 out, outpaced next, ridden before last, never threatened leaders
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 2 out, driven to chase leaders on inside turning in, soon hung left and ridden, one pace before last, stayed on towards finish
led narrowly to after 2nd, with leaders, every chance after 2 out, lost place when ridden before last, weakened flat
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place after 4 out, switched outside and headway before 2 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra flat
held up behind, struggling 3 out, lost touch before next, tailed off
with leader, led narrowly after 2nd, headed after 2 out, ridden and lost place before last, soon weakened
in touch on outside, lost place 3 out, soon behind, weakened after next, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, kept on flat, no impression
in touch on inside, driven to chase leaders after 2 out, one pace before last, ridden and rallied flat, stayed on to lead closing stages
NonRunner
Never Adapt has only managed one run in this country so far and that was more than a year ago. But he clearly has ability and fitness is unlikely to be an issue, though this is very competitive. Ecu De La Noverie bolted up over fences at Wetherby last month but was beaten off a 5lb lower mark when last seen over hurdles. Twice a winner last season, Oakley hasn’t done much wrong this term in placing here and at Ascot and Fanfan Du Seuil travelled strongly for a long way on his return to action at Ayr. Robinshill’s win at Worcester in October came over fences but Manvers House and Repetitio have each-way claims. Having carried overweight when chasing home the smart Torpillo at Chepstow, CASWELL BAY is only a pound higher here and Evan Williams’ lightly-raced gelding looks to be ahead of the handicapper.
Ecu De La Noverie (FR) 7-4fav (11-4) Jumped well, came clear 4 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Hawk High (11-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Oakley (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked clear winner, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace and lost 2nd run in, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Not So Sleepy (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Fanfan Du Seuil (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon driven and one pace, no impression from next, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Elvis Mail (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
John Constable (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Waited with in rear, some headway before 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Smarty Wild (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, some headway on inside approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 16, 37l behind The Cashel Man (10-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Never Adapt (FR) 3-1 (10-10) Keen to post, pulled hard, led after 1st, clear to before 3 out, blundered and headed next, outpaced in 5th between last 2, driven and kept on flat, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Quel Destin (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Manvers House 7-1 (11-4) Chased leader, lost 2nd briefly before the last, 2nd again and every chance last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Smarty Wild (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 16, 24 1/4l behind The Cashel Man (10-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Praeceps (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 13, 24l behind Midnight Midge (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Robinshill (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, led again approaching next, headed before last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Flinck (11-7) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Caswell Bay 6-1 (10-4) Led to 4th, led again after next, headed 3 out, driven and readily outpaced after next, kept on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Torpillo (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Barntown (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-2) In rear, headway before 3 out challenged 2 out, led last, held on towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Theo's Charm (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Repetitio (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch on inside, headway after 3 out (usual 4 out), driven to chase winner after 2 out, ridden before last, no extra in well held 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 9 1/2l behind Allmankind (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Grapevine (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway on outside, chased leaders before 2 out, 3rd and one pace between last 2, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Flashing Glance (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
