held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4 out, went 3rd before next, ridden and outpaced by front pair before last, no impression after
tracked winner, hit 6th, effort 3 out, ridden after next, kept on but always held from last
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place after 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, tailed off
made all, went right 4 out, came towards stands side rail turning in, ridden after next, stayed on well from last
not fluent and behind most of way, pushed along after 7th, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, ridden and outpaced by front trio when not fluent 3 out, plugged on in remote 4th from next, tailed off
This looks tricky with Blairs Cove looking vulnerable upped in distance under a double penalty, though he beat subsequent winner Oski a long way at Warwick in May. Fontwell bumper winner Don Lami has already won over 3m between the flags but so has STRADIVARIUS DAVIS. He changed hands for 50,000 euros last year and is a full brother to Grade 2 winner Violin Davis. Though he’ll make a chaser in time, this looks a nice race in which to make his debut under Rules. Eurato and The Ogle Gogle Man probably have some improving to do.
Blairs Cove 7-4 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 17 1/2l behind Espoir De Teillee (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Don Lami (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Nov beating It's Got Legs (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Eurato (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 3rd chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Indian Hercules (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Oski (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place when blundered 4 out, not recover, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Stradivarius Davis (FR) 8-11fav (10-7) A.p; led 4 out til hdd 2 out; led last; rdn out, won at Bratton Down 3m mdn gd in May beating Heaven's Choice (12-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Ogle Gogle Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hampered 2nd, not fluent 6th, headway 4 out, 5 lengths 5th and ridden when fell 3 out, at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.