prominent, led 3rd, headed 6th, led before 8th, shaken up and well in command flat, easily
towards rear on outside, not fluent 9th, pushed along 12th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up rear of mid-division, not fluent 10th, headway after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, went 3rd last, no impression, weakened final 100 yards
mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, reached at last, no impression, kept on
chased leaders on outside, close 3rd 3 out, 4th and weakening last
held up in rear, headway 12th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway 12th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, closed 5th, mistake and lost place 10th, not much room 11th, outpaced from 11th until rallied before last, stayed on to take 4th flat, no impression
towards rear, mistake 6th, mistake and unseated rider 10th
prominent, went 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, soon weakened
led until 3rd, led 6th, headed before 8th, lost place 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
An intriguing decision to pitch STAGE STAR into handicap company off topweight in what may prove quite a test for the Fame And Glory gelding as he's yet to contest a chase with more than four runners, winning twice. He's not a confident selection in a competitive contest but he is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and his class may see him through in the belief that we've yet to see the best of him over larger obstacles. Fire Dancer overcame an absence of no less than 815 days to score on a first start for Venetia Williams, and although that form rates as nothing special he receives weight all round and could have any amount of improvement to come. A case can be made for most of the others, of which Dalamoi, and the consistent duo of Unexpected Party and Malinello make most appeal.
Stage Star (IRE) 1-9fav (11-7) Led, shaken up and went clear after 2 out, kept on well flat, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Jan beating Mortlach (11-12) by 11l, 2 ran.
Fern Hill (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Chased leader who soon went clear, closer at 10th, lost 2nd 4 out, then hampered, weakened turning in, 9th of 14, 24 1/2l behind Remastered (12-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Unexpected Party (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, outpaced flat, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Loughderg Rocco (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (3) gd in Dec.
Datsalrightgino (GER) 10-3 (11-10) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, not fluent 7th and pushed along, in rear when slightly hampered by faller 5 out, plugged on, never a danger, 4th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Haddex Des Obeaux (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Llandinabo Lad 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out(normal 4 out) rallied approaching 2 out(normal 3 out), stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 5 1/2l behind In Excelsis Deo (10-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Any News (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, brief headway before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 10, 28 3/4l behind The Paddy Pie (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Malinello 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th until after 7th, went 2nd again 4 out, well held when bad blunder last, weakened into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Tea For Free (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Panic Attack (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, went 3rd and plugged on from 2 out, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Balco Coastal (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Iamastar (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Thunder Rock (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Dalamoi (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up behind leaders, mistake and fell 6th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Fire Dancer (FR) 9-4 (11-8) Made all, pressed 4 out, clear 2 out going well, eased down from last, just held on close home, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Striking Out (10-13) by hd, 7 ran.
