left in lead after 1st, headed 6th, led next, headed before 9th, led 10th, hard pressed from 2 out, driven flat, held rivals most gamely towards finish
always prominent, ridden after 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner towards finish
held up rear of mid-division on inside, not fluent 8th, blundered 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, held by winner towards finish
prominent, led 6th until 7th, led before 9th, headed 10th, lost place 13th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
mid-division, mistake 10th, effort 4 out, no impression before 2 out, mistake last
chased leaders, hit 11th, challenged 2 out, 4th and weakening fina 50 yards
led until pulled up after 1st, dismounted
in rear, some headway when mistake 10th, effort 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, no extra
LALOR just lost out in a triple photo-finish for the Paddy Power won by Oldgrangewood here on New Year's Day, when Cepage was well behind, and can land this from 4lb higher. Warthog, placed in a Grade 3 handicap here in November, made much of the running and battled back when headed by Spiritofthegames on a return visit last month and has only been raised 4lb. The runner-up had been well beaten behind Oldgrangewood at Newbury earlier and the pair look held by the selection on collateral form. My Way has yet to win in 15 starts but had Garde La Victoire behind when chasing home Espoir De Guye as Ascot. Highway One O One has been placed in strong company here and has to be on the shortlist.
Cepage (FR) 15-2 (11-6) Soon led, headed 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Oldgrangewood (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Lalor (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, headed approaching last, stayed on, every chance towards finish, just held, 3rd of 12, shd behind Oldgrangewood (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, slow 1st, headway before 4 out, 3rd 2 out, went 2nd before last, led flat, went over 1 length up, headed post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Warthog (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Highway One O One (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Prominent in chasing group, chased clear leader 3rd, went left 6th, closer at next, led 13th, clear after 4 out until 2 out, driven between last 2, headed and no extra run-in, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Just A Sting (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Count Meribel 9-1 (11-6) In touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced when left 4th 2 out, no danger after, lost 2 places near finish, 6th of 17, 16 1/4l behind Happy Diva (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Militarian 16-1 (11-12) Mistakes, mid-division, lost place 3rd, headway 17th, close up 3 out, one pace in 3rd last, dropped to 4th flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Doing Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Held up and behind, not fluent 6th, closer on outside before 2 out, plugged on, never on terms, 6th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Espoir De Guye (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Warthog (FR) 7-1 (10-3) Led until after 2nd, prominent, challenged 11th, led 3 out, headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again post, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Spiritofthegames (11-3) by hd, 13 ran.
Cool Mix 17-2 (10-13) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, every chance 3 out, no extra last, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Nuts Well (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
My Way (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, steady headway 9th, 3rd 2 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Espoir De Guye (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
