in rear, well beaten 4 out, ran on flat, no chance
mid-division, closed after 5th, close up when fell 5 out
towards rear on outside, closed before 6th, dived at 3 out, weakened next
prominent, led before 6th, headed next, led 8th until 5 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, some headway when slightly hampered 5 out, no impression after
chased leaders, lost place 7th, no impression after, well held 6th when mistake 2 out
chased leaders on outside, headway 6th, chased winner 2 out, 3 lengths down when mistake and unseated rider last
held up in rear, headway 8th, not fluent 10th, challenged 5 out, soon led, 3 lengths ahead when left well clear last, eased towards finish
led until before 6th, led next, headed 8th, led 5 out, soon headed, one pace and beaten when left disputing 2nd last
prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace and beaten when left disputing 2nd last
held up, mistake 1st, not fluent 6th, mistake next, some headway but still rear when badly hampered 5 out, soon pulled up
Calipto has made mistakes in both starts so far this season but is starting to look well treated again and should get closer to Touch Kick than at Hereford on better terms. Dusky Lark was also unplaced in that Hereford race but did better next time at Exeter behind an improver. King's Odyssey has plenty of ability but continues to frustrate and it remains to be seen how Le Rocher fares given he finished behind Beggar's Wishes at Newton Abbot in the autumn. DOITFORTHEVILLAGE is now 2lb lower than when scoring at Cheltenham last season. Ahead of Top Gamble over 2m at Newbury at the start of the month, he’s won over this trip and looks the pick of the weights today.
Beggar's Wishes (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Charbel (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Top Gamble (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) With winner, fell 3rd, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Le Rocher (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 13, 12l behind Galop Marin (11-2) at Auteuil 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Templehills (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Behind, blundered 4th and 5th, pulled up after next, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-1) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 7th until pushed along 3 out, 3rd and well beaten when fell last, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Grand Vision (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Mid-division, fell 12th (canal), at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Calipto (FR) 14-1 (11-11) Prominent until mistake 2nd, chased leaders, hit 10th, not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Touch Kick (11-1) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway when left in 4th place 5th, plugged on into 3rd after 3 out, 3rd of 10, 12 1/4l behind Lady Buttons (11-3) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Dusky Lark 33-1 (11-3) Led until 5th, not fluent 7th, under pressure when jumped left 2 out, stayed on gamely, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Siruh Du Lac (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Touch Kick (IRE) 5-2jfav (10-4) In touch, closer tracking leaders 8th, ridden and went 2nd 3 out (normal 4 out), kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Aso (11-10) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Full Irish (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led until 7th (water), in front again 1 12th until next, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and refused 2 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Dec.