tracked leaders, lost position and ridden halfway, tailed off quickly
handy, led 4f out, headed over 3f out and pushed along, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, pressed leaders 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied to lead again narrowly 110 yards out, soon left well clear when rival stumbled and fell
front mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon lost touch
led, headed 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased
rear mid-division, ridden 4f out, no real progress
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, plugged on and left in remote 2nd closing stages
mid-division, smooth headway into 5th 4f out, pushed along and led 2f out, ridden and headed narrowly final 110 yards, keeping on when stumbled and fell closing stages
towards rear, ridden 4f out, plugged on, never involved
Idefix De Ciergues was always in the front rank when second behind Marvellous Mick here at the start of the month. The winner’s yard run another course and distance winner, Isaac Des Obeaux, in this and Harry Cobden’s mount has every chance of completing a double though is meeting CAPE VIDAL on level terms. After winning at Ffos Las, Anthony Honeyball’s charge was third in a Listed race at Cheltenham and that looks the best form on offer. Fingle Bridge is a likely improver but Thank You Blue might need this after a break.
Cape Vidal 7-1 (11-2) Held up, closer out wide in mid-division halfway, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 6 1/2l behind Gentle Slopes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Isaac Des Obeaux (FR) 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon edged left, headed over 1f out, stayed challenging, led again well inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Nov beating Range (11-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Fingle Bridge (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, switched right 2f out, went 2nd and switched left inside final furlong, not trouble winner, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Go To War (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gd in Oct.
He's My Shadow (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in mid-division, went 3rd 3f out, ran on and no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Inthewaterside (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gs in Dec.
Idefix De Ciergues (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Led narrowly, faced strong challenge over 3f out, pushed along 2f out, headed 1f out and ridden, well held when slightly hampered by winner inside last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Marvellous Mick (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Rivers Corner 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, dropped away quickly 6f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Inthewaterside (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) gs in Dec.
Rollo's Kingdom 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden 3f out, steady headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Spirits Bay (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Thank You Blue 6-1 (11-6) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind Rosy Redrum (10-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Jan.
Three Cliffs Bay (GER) Jukebox Jury gelding out of The Beauty.
Harthill (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway between horses over 5f out, driven along over 3f out, ran on same pace, not match leaders, 6th of 18, 23 1/2l behind Walk Of No Shame (11-0) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Nov.
