made all, jumped well, clear last, impressive
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden and beaten from 2 out, well held 3rd when fell last
held up in mid-division, not fluent 9th, soon outpaced, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, bad mistake 7th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened before next
tracked winner throughout, not fluent 3rd, hung left and no impression before last, stayed on same pace
held up, dropped to last 4th, not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, left modest 4th last
prominent, not fluent 3 out, 4th and well held from next, left 3rd last
KINGS PALACE created a hugely favourable impression when scoring 18 lengths over a longer trip here last time. The second won next time so the form looks solid and David Pipe's gelding can take this step up in grade in his stride to complete the hat-trick. Saint Roque was only third at Kempton earlier this month and is very exposed for a race of this nature. But he won over 3m between the flags so the step up in distance may suit. Milan Bound is heading in the right direction but this is easily his toughest task to date while Flicka Williams' three wins have come in handicaps. Berea Boru was conceding 14lb to Potters Cross when beaten nine lengths at Ffos Las and it's likely to be a lot closer today. Both are preferred to Masters Hill.
Kings Palace (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Creepy (11-3) by 18l, 10 ran.
Saint Roque (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Led, pressed 2 out, narroly headed between last 2, soon driven, chased leader, every chance when mistake and went right soon after last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Killala Quay (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs.
Berea Boru (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, not fluent 8th, ridden after next, went 2nd when bad mistake last, well held by winner flat, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Potters Cross (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Flicka Williams (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) In rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Lookout Mountain (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Masters Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st, mid-division, blundered 10th, lost place and behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Standing Ovation (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Milan Bound (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd going well before 3 out, led on bit when left clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Rio Milan (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Potters Cross 8-13fav (10-12) Made all, not fluent 9th, hit 3 out, edged right and shaken up after 2 out, went left and mistake last, soon went further clear, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Berea Boru (11-12) by 9l, 5 ran.
