mid-division on inside, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, led before last, headed flat, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, hampered 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, some headway 2 out, soon weakened
held up, mistake 4th, hampered 5th, weakened after 3 out
led, headed when fell 3 out
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, hit 4th, led when mistake 3 out, headed before not fluent last, stayed on same pace
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before not fluent last, went 2nd flat, not pace of winner
mid-division, headway 5th, hampered 3 out, weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, fell 5th
raced keenly, held up well in rear, some headway 2 out but still plenty to do, closing in 4th going well last, switched left flat, soon led, readily asserted
Champagne City was a good third here last month on his first run since the summer. Flashing Glance is gradually slipping to a mark from which he should be capable of winning and Tom Lacey also runs Equus Amadeus, who has won two of his last three. Maquisard represents last year’s winning yard and has run well in both starts since switching stables while Our Merlin came up against a well-handicapped rival at Sandown after winning at Wincanton. FLASH THE STEEL could be another for the Skeltons as he came with a well-timed run to score at Doncaster on his handicap debut and remains unexposed over timber.
Chti Balko (FR) 5-2 (11-12) With leader, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Ballymoy (11-7) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, rallied between last 2, stayed on to lead flat, ran on, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Dec beating Irish Roe (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Champagne City 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed after last bend, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 11 1/4l behind Al Dancer (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
John Constable (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 37 3/4l behind Oakley (11-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Storm Home (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Demopolis (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Keen, held up in 4th place, hung badly right and weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, eased, 6th of 7, dist behind Monsieur Lecoq (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Our Merlin 9-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, led, hit 4th, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, well held and no chance before last, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Monsieur Lecoq (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Flashing Glance 7-2 (12-0) Chased winner who was clear from the 2nd, not fluent 3 out, mistake next, no impression, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Turning Gold (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Flash The Steel (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway from 5th, challenged 3 out, soon led, stumbled and headed 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on to press leader flat, led towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Ey Up Rocky (11-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Nelson's Touch 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, slow 4th, driven to challenge 2 out, soon every chance, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Maquisard (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 2nd going well 3 out, led before next, 2 lengths ahead when went badly left 2 out, headed before the last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Eddiemaurice (10-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Benny's Bridge (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace last, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind War Brigade (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
