pressed leader until 10th, mistake 18th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, mistake 13th, well beaten 3 out
held up in rear, steady headway from 18th, challenged last, driven flat, led towards finish, headed last stride
mid-division, headway 15th, mistake 4 out, driven after 2 out, challenged 2 out, every chance flat, 3rd and held close home
prominent until slow 8th, pushed along after 12th, well beaten 18th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
led, not fluent 4 out, hard pressed from 2 out, headed towards finish, stayed on gamely to lead again last stride
held up towards rear, not fluent 14th (water), well behind from 18th, pulled up after
tracked leaders, challenged 16th, lost 2nd 2 out, 4th and beaten before last, weakened flat
last 3rd, steady headway 4 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
Rock The Kasbah probably produced a career-best when winning in this grade on the Old Course here last month. Singlefarmpayment was fourth that day, with Cogry and Doing Fine unplaced, but Tom George’s stayer has a good chance of coming out on top at the revised weights. Jockey bookings suggest Rolling Dylan is the stable’s second string but his chance should not be underestimated after a pipe-opener at Bangor. However, KERROW looked sure to win that Bangor contest before falling at the last and, if that hasn’t left its mark, Alan King’s unexposed chaser can gain compensation here. El Bandit has a bit to prove at present with Theatre Territory preferred to Coo Star Sivola of the others.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led to before 3rd, remained prominent, driven to lead turning in, ridden clear before last, held on under pressure flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Royal Vacation (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Last pair, closed to dispute 2nd from 10th, outpaced in 3rd before last, well held flat, 3rd of 4, 10 1/2l behind Elegant Escape (11-8) at Sandown 3m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Singlefarmpayment 11-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5 out, tracked leaders 3 out, driven and one pace after next, ridden and stayed on to dispute well held 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 4th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Rock The Kasbah (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, left 4th at last kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
El Bandit (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-7) Raced wide towards rear, headway when stumbled 15th, weakened 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Cogry 13-2 (10-5) Prominent, led after 4th to 8th, remained in touch, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, no impression before last, 6th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Rock The Kasbah (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Kerrow (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Towards rear, headway before bend 2 out, ridden to lead when fell last, at Bangor 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Theatre Territory (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and quickened pace after 3 out, hard pressed last, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Ibis Du Rheu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov.
Doing Fine (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never threatened leaders, 7th of 15, 14 3/4l behind Rock The Kasbah (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.