held up in touch in rear, closed 5 out, went 2nd after next, led 3 out, shaken up and went clear before last, ridden out flat
tracked leader, led 4 out, not fluent and headed next, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, niggled along after 7th, outpaced 5 out, soon well beaten
led, ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on winner from 2 out
SIRE DE GRUGY may not have beaten Mr Mole in the Game Spirit at Newbury if he'd stayed on his feet but would probably have finished second. That was a decent first run back following a lengthy break and connections will be disappointed if the two-mile champion chaser can't give weight to his three rivals. Mister Grez looks to have little chance from out of the handicap but Far West is a decent novice and is entitled to respect. Grey Gold won over course and distance in the autumn but has been well beaten in a couple of subsequent runs at Ascot.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Tracked leading trio, 3rd at 3rd (water), travelling well when blundered 4 out, 2nd before next, 2 lengths down when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Mr Mole (11-6) at Newbury 2m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) sft, 5 ran.
Grey Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always in rear, pushed along and outpaced 6th, struggling and no chance after, last of 5, 24l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Far West (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, chased winner throughout, ridden before last, stayed on under pressure run-in, always held, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Top Gamble (11-7) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Mister Grez (FR) 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders on inside, bumped 4 out, pushed along after next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 12, 14l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
