chased leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out, one pace and no chance with winner final 2f, dropped to 3rd close home
tracked leading trio, reminders before halfway, plugged on final 2f, went 2nd close home, no chance with easy winner
last pair, green and hung left on bend over 5f out, never on terms
took keen hold, always behind, pushed along over 6f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
hung left most of way, chased winner, hung left on bend and lost 2nd over 4f out, stayed in 3rd, continued to hang left and no impression final 2f, dropped to 4th inside final furlong
made all, came clear final 2f, unchallenged
chased leaders until lost place before halfway, soon lost touch, plugged on final 2f
VIEUX LION ROUGE is impossible to oppose in this as he won easily on his debut at Ffos Las and again impressed when beating Chase The Wind in better company over a shorter trip at Newbury. Quick Decisson won at Wincanton on Boxing Day but more is needed now and more interesting is the well-bred Nicholls newcomer Pure Oxygen. Couldhavehaditall also catches the eye with AP McCoy booked while Milanese is a likely improver and preferred to Towcester second Sweet Like You of the others.
Quick Decisson (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden out, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Woodland Walk (10-2) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Couldhavehaditall (IRE) Milan gelding out of Night Leader.
Ma'ire Rua (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Long Acre.
Milanese (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 16, 17l behind Werenearlyoutofit (10-13) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Tinker Time (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up & bhnd; str run 3 out; led flat; stayed on wl, won at North Cornwall 3m ptp sft in Jan beating Hugo Where Igo (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Made all, ridden over 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, in command final 100 yards, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan beating Chase The Wind (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Sweet Like You 5-1 (10-12) In touch on outside, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Tonvadosa (10-12) at Towcester 2m mares n h flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Pure Oxygen (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Katday.
Dark Desire Generous gelding out of Diletia.
