mid-division, closer in 5th and pushed along 4f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression
disputed lead, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression
disputed lead, headed halfway, dropped to 5th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
always towards rear, no impression straight, never a factor
slowly away and always behind, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
edged right after start, held up towards rear and took keen hold, headway travelling well into 8th 2f out, pushed along and progress into 3rd 1f out, soon 2nd, kept on well under hands and heels final furlong, strongly pressed winner to line, just failed
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden in 8th 3f out, 6th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra
rear of mid-division, pushed along 5f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 3rd and pulled hard, improved to dispute lead 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra
mid-division, 7th 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, went 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders and took keen hold, went 2nd after halfway, progress to dispute lead and ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no impression
mid-division on outer, 6th on outer 3f out, close 3rd and ridden 2f out, improved to dispute lead 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, all out
Richard Hughes has his first runner in his home country with DUCHESS OF MARMITE, who has won her last three starts over this trip on Polytrack. She's a tricky ride who needs kidding along but Shane Kelly knows her well and the fact that she's only won narrowly means she can't incur too much of a rise. This is undoubtedly her toughest race to date but she can continue her sequence. Taglietelle is a high-class hurdler who has completed a Grade 1's since scoring over this track and trip in November for which a 5lb rise isn't a concern. Modem is also very smart over timber and won his last two starts on the level in the summer while Saga Bolton is progressing nicely though takes a big step-up from 1m4f, a remark that also applies to the in-form Jan Van Eyck. Asian Wing was in cracking form here last spring and also scored at Ayr in August though he's suffered in the weights as a consequence.
Taglietelle 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, never involved, 7th of 8, dist behind Thistlecrack (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Modem 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Identity Thief (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding in Oct.
Egyptian Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, weakened entering straight, towards rear when fell last, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Asian Wing (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Gleese The Devil (9-6) at York 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Back Off Mate (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Soon mid-division, pushed along 8th, moderate 13th before straight, no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 15, 17 1/2l behind Mrs Mac Veale (11-3) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Duchess Of Marmite (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Dropped out start, held up in rear, closed over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, cajoled along to lead well inside final furlong, just nudged out near finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Treasure The Ridge (10-0) by nk, 10 ran.
Pivot Bridge 11-2 (11-12) Towards rear, 6th at 3rd, 5th 3 out, dropped to 6th 2 out where mistake, no extra, 6th of 8, 25 3/4l behind King of The Picts (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Oct.
Pacelli Road (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, ridden and no extra before straight, weakened before 2 out, trailing and fell last, at Clonmel 2m hcp gs in Oct.
Bittern (IRE) 5-1 (8-4) Chased leaders in 3rd and took keen hold early, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure close home, all out, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Ringside Humour (8-11) by hd, 8 ran.
Jan Van Eyck (USA) 9-4fav (9-9) Mid-division, headway 9f out, ridden over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Indira (9-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Wither Hills (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, in rear, never a factor, fell last, at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
Saga Bolton (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, improved to dispute lead 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Political Policy (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Cardinal Palace (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, 10th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
