chased leaders, jumped slowly 8th, went 2nd 9th, led approaching 4 out, headed between last 2, soon no extra in 3rd, lost that passing post
never fluent in rear, not fluent and pushed along 8th, never on terms, tailed off
held up in last pair, good headway approaching 8th chased leaders went 2nd 4 out, led between last 2, joined last, strongly pressed run-in, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards
mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 7th, driven and one pace in 4th 2 out, kept on into 3rd final stride
led until 3rd and lost 2nd, 2nd again next until 9th, chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, always towards rear, never on terms
held up early, headway to lead 4th, headed approaching 4 out, rallied 2 out, 2nd before last, every chance run-in, no extra final 100 yards
raced keenly, chased leader, led 3rd until next, chased leaders until jumped slowly and lost place 9th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, rallied approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
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Lieutenant Rocco is an imposing type who has taken well to fences. He is carrying top weight running in his first handicap but warrants respect. Eclair Surf was an easy winner on heavy going at Hereford while last year’s successful stable has two entered. Richard Johnson has been booked to ride Flinck, a likely improver, with Smarty Wild engaged elsewhere this weekend. Vinnie The Hoddie would have preferred a better surface but the returning Brianstorm could be well handicapped following wind surgery. FRANCKY DU BERLAIS has run well off this mark the last twice and is unlikely to be far away again.
Eclair Surf (FR) 7-4fav (11-10) Led, headed 5 out, led again 3 out, ridden and ran on, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Furiously Fast (10-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Flinck (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 11, 31l behind Alnadam (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 9-2 (12-3) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Ouro Branco (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Le Milos 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division on inside, weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, 34 1/4l behind Nordano (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Midnight Midge 8-1 (12-3) Led, not fluent 4th, headed and pecked 7th, jumped left 8th, weakened after 12th, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Fly To Mars 15-2 (10-12) Held up in last pair, never on terms, plugged on in 4th, 4th of 6, dist behind Straw Fan Jack (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Brianstorm (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Always in 4th, beaten after 3 out, last of 4, 13 1/2l behind Bordeaux Bill (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
One More Fleurie (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led until after 9th, weakened before mistake 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Devour (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 8th, driven and headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) sft in Dec.
Smarty Wild 8-1 (10-6) Patiently ridden in last pair, steady headway approaching 11th, chasing leaders when pecked 3 out (normal 4 out), kept on in 3rd before last (normal 2 out), closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Bennys King (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Vinnie The Hoddie (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Prominent, led 4th, headed 6th, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Huntsman Son (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) gs in Oct.
Welsh's Castle (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent, tracked leaders 3 out, led 4 out, pressed on either side 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed last, rallied after the last and kept on but always held, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Tupelo Mississippi (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
