tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
held up in touch, headway after 4 out, chased leading pair next, ridden after 2 out, 4 lengths down in 3rd last, went 2nd flat, rallied final 100 yards, not reach winner
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, never able to challenge
tracked leading pair on outside, challenged 4 out, led narrowly next, driven 3 lengths clear before last, ridden flat, hard pressed toward finish, held on
led, joined 4 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly next, 3 lengths down and one pace between last 2, no impression when lost 2nd flat
held up in touch on outside, outpaced before 4 out, ridden next, no impression in 4th from 2 out
raced keenly, held up behind until headway to track leaders 3rd, outpaced before 4 out, no impression from next
Newcastle winner Runswick Royal makes his handicap debut but doesn't look badly treated. Upetito stayed on bravely to score at Warwick two weeks ago but is now 7lb higher and may not have the pace of some of these. Wetherby second Off The Ground had Kings Grey well behind at this track last season but all of his form is over further. ROYAL REGATTA (NAP) has taken well to fences and though last of three finishers at Newbury last time, he only weakened on the run-in and the two in front have both run well since. Philip Hobbs' charge can recoup losses as De Boitron will probably find a couple too good again. Sea Current may not be ready for this grade just yet.
De Boitron (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, challenged after 5 out, led next, ridden and headed before 3 out, one pace next, no impression in 3rd from last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Upsilon Bleu (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway to go 4th before 9th, went 2nd from 3 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m nov chs (4) sft beating Yorkist (11-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Off The Ground (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) In rear, ridden and headway before 3 out, chased winner after last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Shadows Lengthen (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f Listed hcap ch (1) gd in Oct.
Royal Regatta (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Jumped right at times, chased leader, led before 3 out, edging left and headed before last, edged left and no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Far West (11-8) at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec.
Kings Grey (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led, headed before 4 out, left 2nd from last, kept on and held by winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Firth Of The Clyde (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs.
Upepito (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Held up, headway to go 3 lengths 2nd 2 out, closed last, driven flat, led close home, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Keel Haul (10-11) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sea Current (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up behind in touch, headway 3 out, challenged after next, virtually upsides last, ridden and one pace flat, no impression final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-1) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
