mid-division, weakening when not fluent 16th, tailed off
prominent, ridden 15th, lost place approaching 17th, no chance when jumped slowly next, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, soon pushed along, lost place 9th well behind from 14th, tailed off
led until after 2nd, chased leader, led again 16th, ridden approaching 2 out, edged right and headed flat, lost 2nd close home
held up in rear, mistake 6th, pushed along after 13th, stayed on from 3 out, never near leaders
held up towards rear, some headway when not fluent 9th, behind from 15th, tailed off
mistake 1st, always behind, tailed off
held up, headway on inside 13th, outpaced 18th, stayed on well approaching 2 out, never near to challenge
ridden 13th, always behind, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, reminder after 5th, lost place 15th, effort 17th, no chance with leaders when hit 3 out
in touch, headway 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on and every chance flat, took 2nd close home
mistake 7th, always behind, pulled up before 11th
always prominent, chased leader approaching 2 out, jumped right last, ran on to lead flat, driven out
French Executive looks to have a great chance of making it back-to-back wins off his current mark, while Ibis Rochelais, Twisted Logic and Pharaway Citizen also have claims in what is a decent contest. However, most of these look fully exposed, and there may just be a bit more to come from French Executive. Paul Nicholls' charge is not the easiest of rides, but comes here freshened up again after six weeks off following a win at Plumpton. His trainer likes to give him a break between outings and that can again help to do the trick again here with this through stayer. Topweight Twisted Logic has enjoyed two recent wins at Exeter, but they have taken him back up the weights and mean that he must produce a career best to score here. Not that that is an impossible task, but at 11-year-old it does seem unlikely that he will be good enough to complete the hat-trick now. Ibis Rochelias has been keeping good company and was sent off favourite at both Sandown and Cheltenham on his two latest starts, finishing third on both occasions. He remains in good form but would prefer cut to be at his best and so is just overlooked again here. Of the remainder, Flying Trix is interesting off a feather weight after winning at Kempton last time, and he should be involved in the shake-up, but we will stick with French Executive.
