tracked leaders and travelled well, 2nd before 3 out, led next, clear before last, stayed on well
slight lead until 4th, chased leader until before 3 out, soon outpaced, plugged on
held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders after 4 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd at the last, one pace, no chance with winner
with leader, slight lead 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd at the last
raced keenly, held up last, steady headway before 4 out, no impression before next
raced keenly, jumped left, chased leaders, went left and weakened 6th, tailed off and went left final 3
Precious Bounty could boost the Leicester win of Ebony Gale in the opener but an opening mark of 123 for the Hobbs’ runner looks harsh. Trans Express racked up a fourth course win here 12 days ago and is ultra-consistent, though the nine-year-old has never been successful off a mark this high. Flight To Milan would have a chance on his form around this time last year but has become disappointing. This represents a drop in class for CLIFFS OF DOVER after his third at Doncaster and Bryony Frost can steer the top weight to a 10th career victory, though Dandolo Du Gite is unexposed and capable of improvement.
Cliffs Of Dover 4-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway towards stands side rail 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, hung left and led narrowly last, headed flat, no extra in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Equus Amadeus (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Envol De La Cour (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up behind, driven after 3 out, never near leaders, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ebony Gale 11-10fav (11-0) Towards rear, pecked 1st, slow and big next and 3rd, headway 3 out, went 2nd before last, driven flat, led towards finish, won at Leicester 2m mdn (3) gf in Dec beating Precious Bounty (11-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Trans Express (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-0) Led until 1st, with leader, led before 3 out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Shalakar (11-10) by 2l, 5 ran.
Dandolo Du Gite (FR) 7-4 (11-4) Keen, tracked leader and clear of rest, led after 3 out, narrowly headed next, every chance last, no extra run-in, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Seemingly So (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Flight To Milan (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 35l behind Deebaj (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
