held up in touch on outside, driven to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 1f out, not pace to get on terms
tracked leaders on outside, effort turning in, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, held when lost 3rd towards finish
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on when hard pressed inside final furlong, held on gamely
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, outpaced 4f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong
keen early, held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, driven to chase winner turning in, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, just held
keen early, led, driven and headed over 3f out, soon behind, weakened inside final 2f
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd when edged left towards finish, no reach front pair
Paul Nicholls last won this in 2010 but Mcfabulous has strong claims in today’s renewal. He made a winning start at Chepstow with a two-length defeat of Ask Dillon with One Touch well beaten and is expected to confirm superiority in this. But Sedgefield winner MASTER DEBONAIR returned to action with a close-up second over track and trip last month and Colin Tizzard’s charge is taken to go one better in this. Richard Johnson gets the leg-up on Thyme Hill, a winner at Worcester representing last year’s winning yard while Ribble Valley made a promising debut with an easy win at Ayr and is preferred to another winning debutant in Hold The Note of the remainder.
Ask Dillon (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Mcfabulous (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Hold The Note (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) hvy in Oct beating Poison Arrow (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Master Debonair 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, every chance after until just held close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gs in Oct.
McFabulous (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) With leaders, close 2nd edging left over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, rallied on wide outside to lead inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, ran on strongly, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Ask Dillon (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
One Touch (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear on inside, headway on inside 4f out, kept on in 4th final 2f, 4th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Mcfabulous (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Ribble Valley (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside from 7f out, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, quite impressive, won at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Nickelsonthedime (11-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
Thyme Hill 9-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear and ran green in front, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Oct beating Timcoda (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Unwin Vc 9-4jfav (11-1) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and switched right 2f out, switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) hvy in Apr beating Lamanver Pippin (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Kissesforkatie (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, headway to lead over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, ridden out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 1m 6f (5) gf in Oct beating Rose To Fame (10-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
