mid-division, slow 2nd, closed next, slow and lost place 7th, effort 5 out, very slow 3 out, well held after
held up in mid-division, blundered 2nd, minor headway 5 out, not fluent 4 out, no impression
led until 2nd, chased leaders, no impression before 5 out
chased leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 5 out, no impression on winner from next, lost 2nd flat
jumped well, led 2nd, clear 4 out, easily
prominent, lost 2nd before 5 out, soon beaten, well held 3 out, pulled up after
held up, not fluent 6th, well beaten before 5 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, jumped left and mistake 1st, closed 3rd, no impression on winner from 4 out, mistake last, went 2nd flat
raced keenly in rear, always behind, tailed off
ENZO D’AIRY (NAP) is difficult to oppose after his demolition job at Stratford 12 days ago. It’s no surprise that Venetia Williams is running her charge under a penalty as he’s sure to be raised a lot more in the coming weeks. Faustinovick was well regarded at one time but became disappointing over hurdles and made mistakes on his fencing bow over a much longer trip at Lingfield. Eclair D'Ainay had a similar profile over hurdles and is another with a bit to prove but a switch to fences could suit Supreme Escape and Knight Destroyer is better than he showed at Hexham, where he failed to settle.
Faustinovick 3-1 (12-0) Held up in last pair, steady headway on inside tracking leaders before 13th, ridden and weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 17l behind Gleno (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Casa Tall (FR) 10-3fav (11-3) Prominent, not fluent 7th, led after 3 out, headed before next, no extra last, 5th of 13, 10l behind Tamarillo Grove (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Smiths Cross (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Led until after 5th, led 7th, headed before 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 10th of 14, 18l behind Regarding Ruth (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Enzo D'Airy (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Led, soon prominent, narrowly regained lead after 5th, pushed along before last (usual 2 out) where one length clear, five lengths clear on home turn, extended advantage on run-in, eased down, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Bathiva (11-12) by 14l, 7 ran.
Eclair D'Ainay (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division on the rail, keen first circuit, ridden before 3 out, stayed on, 5th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Castle Robin (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct.
Knight Destroyer (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Close-up, pushed in 3rd after jumping 2 out, faded into 4th before last, well beaten, 4th of 5, 32l behind Sao (11-5) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Supreme Escape (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Mid-division, pushed along before 7th, lost place approaching 8th, soon behind, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Out On The Tear (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, closed next, challenging when mistake 3 out, mistake next, one pace last, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Takeit Easy (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Gouet Des Bruyeres (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, held up in rear, bit closer after 4 out, weakened after next, last of 10, 35 3/4l behind Soaring Glory (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
