chased leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace, never any chance with very easy winner
made all, went clear 3 out, winged the last, unchallenged
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, chased winner until before 2 out, no extra in 3rd
raced keenly in touch, headway chasing leaders 2nd, weakened before 3 out, blundered 3 out, tailed off
in touch until ridden and lost place 3rd, tailed off next
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced and struggling before 4 out
Evan Williams had the winner last year but Sign Of War was beaten a long way when third at Taunton. Electron Bleu was a winner over fences in France but it will be a surprise if he has the pace for this. Allonok has shown little so far and now gets headgear so this may rest between previous winners Antunes and KHAGE. Bridget Andrews’ mount has been handicapping this season and the latter has the stronger form having just failed at Ffos Las last month when back over 2m.
Antunes 4-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders soon after 4 out, 2nd and every chance last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Laughing Luis (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Khage (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 2nd, strongly challenged after 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dr Sanderson (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m (3) gs in Feb.
Allonok 5-1 (11-2) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Mint Gold (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb.
Electron Bleu (FR) (11-0) 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Surely Try (11-2) at Pau 2m 7f gs in Jan.
Harry Haze 150-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, under pressure approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 16, 24 1/4l behind Chambard (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Long River Dancer 125-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, tailed off when fell on bend before 4 out, at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Nighthawker 150-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, tracker leader 4f, remained prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, dist behind Hugos Other Horse (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) gs in Feb.
Nordenfelt (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and struggling 3f out, 8th of 14, 16 1/4l behind Dubai Frame (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Sign Of War (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leading trio, jumped right 2nd, tracked leading pair 3rd, 2nd 3 out, never any chance with easy winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 5, 29 1/4l behind Chef D'Equipe (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
