held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 4th when not fluent last, stayed on same pace and no impression on leaders flat
held up towards rear, some headway 2 out, never on terms
held up in mid-division, lost place after 6th, stayed on after 2 out, never dangerous
in touch in mid-division, headway 4 out, mistake 3 out, every chance after 2 out, stayed on but held by front pair flat
in touch on outside, ridden after 4 out, one pace before last, no extra flat
prominent, ridden after 4 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on flat
led until 3rd, led 7th, headed before 9th, weakened last
mid-division, mistake 7th, outpaced after 9th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway before 9th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat
with leader, led 3rd, headed 7th, led approaching 9th, ridden and headed last, stayed on, held close home
held up towards rear, not fluent 8th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 5th, some headway after 2 out, never in contention, well held last
tracked leaders, challenged after 2 out, led last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, never involved
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, blundered 3 out, weakened
Barry Geraghty will be anticipating some big days at Cheltenham with his new retainer for JP McManus and the pair can pick up this pot with MILAN BOUND. The seven year old hasn't been the most consistent in the past but he won well at Newton Abbot and he can go in again off a 1lb higher mark. Batavir is often well backed but ran as if something were amiss on his last start at Doncaster. The yard are also represented by the frustrating Gevrey Chambertin and money for either would be significant. The handicapper walloped Sir Mangan for his win at Fontwell but he showed a likeable attitude and should give another good account. Atlantic Gold has gone up a similar amount for hacking up here in October and with his yard in great form, he has plenty to recommend. Philip Hobbs has won this race previously so any market confidence behind the returning So Fine should not be ignored.
Un Ace (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Mainly tracked leading pair, close up 7th, left in lead 4 out, headed and ridden soon after 2 out, kept on, every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Cloud Creeper (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Apr.
Gevrey Chambertin (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last, outpaced after 3 out, ran on flat, no impression, 5th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Milan Bound (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Dark Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run before last, went 2nd flat, ran on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Mr Shantu (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Morito Du Berlais (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Tracked leader until pushed along after 3 out, rallied after 2 out, dived at last, no impression flat, last of 7, 4 1/4l behind Milan Bound (10-13) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Easter Day (FR) 6-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, mistake 3rd, soon pulled up, at Kempton 2m 4f (2) gd in Nov.
The Job Is Right 16-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 8th after 2 out, some progress on outer approaching last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Galway 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Oct beating Master Appeal (11-1) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Atlantic Gold (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Made all, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct beating Mont Choisy (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Desilvano 5-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders 9th, stayed on to dispute 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Kelso 3m 3f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Batavir (FR) 6-4fav (11-9) Led until 3 out, weakened approaching last, last of 6, 36 1/2l behind Call The Cops (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Close 2nd, led after 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, jumped slowly last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Cannon Fodder (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Milan Bound (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden before next, led flat, held on, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Rydon Pynes (10-12) by hd, 7 ran.
Ongenstown Lad (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, led approaching when mistake last, ran on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Minella On Line (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Rons Dream 20-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, no impression last, 5th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
So Fine (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 10th, soon ridden and lost place, 7th of 17, 14 3/4l behind Heronry (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, no impression next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind The Boss's Dream (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Face Value 15-2fav (10-7) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in, 5th of 16, 1/2l behind Towering (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
