held up behind, headway on outside 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, no impression with winner
mid-division, tracked leaders on outside 2 out, switched right between last 2, effort when mistake last, soon ridden, weakened flat
mid-division, lost place before 3 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, close up and effort on inside before last, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression final 100 yards
tracked winner, driven after 2 out, lost place last, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
took keen hold, tracked leaders until saddle slipped and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, tracked leaders before next, chase winner last, soon ridden, no impression when lost place final 100 yards
tracked leaders, ridden and effort when not fluent last, kept on same pace flat, no impression final 100 yards
made all, driven between last 2, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
Nonrunner
Solstice Star is out of the handicap still but has been in top form this term and outpointed a useful handicap field here last month. He's opposed by a number of handicap debutants from top yards though who could be anything after all looking useful prospects when landing novice or maiden hurdles. Champagne At Tara, Clean Sheet and MAESTRO ROYAL all enter this category and are surefire improvers, with a tentative nod awarded to the latter, probably the Henderson second string. He doddled up at Huntingdon and looks on a tempting mark on this return to action. Cheltenian has to concede lumps of weight all round but he's a tough cookie and cannot be discounted against the unexposed brigade.
Cheltenian (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Led until after 3rd, stayed prominent until mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Old Guard (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Clean Sheet (IRE) 8-11fav (11-8) Made all, shaken up 2 out, soon in command, readily, won at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) gs in Feb beating Chidswell (11-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Prouts Pub (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Needless Shouting (11-4) by 17l, 9 ran.
Champagne At Tara 4-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Tippmanboy (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Prairie Town (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, well beaten after 5th, 7th of 11, dist behind Tara Flow (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Maestro Royal 4-1 (11-5) Not always fluent, soon held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Its A Sting (11-5) by 9l, 8 ran.
Frodon (FR) 5-1 (10-5) 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Punch Nantais (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Olofi (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced before last, 9th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Solstice Star (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Solstice Star 8-1 (10-4) Prominent, led before 3 out, hard pressed when mistake last, stayed on well and drawing away final 75 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Mad Jack Mytton (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Led to after 4th, tracked leader, mistake 6th, lost place before 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind One Track Mind (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
