in rear, lost touch approaching 4th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up in 6th, went 5th 4th, weakened well before 3 out
held up in 4th, not fluent and reminder 4th, led approaching 3 out, ridden out
led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3rd, went 2nd next, 3rd and beaten before last
tracked leader until not fluent 4th, chasing winner before last, no impression
raced in 5th until 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A tight contest where FRENCH SAULAIE is our pick with Rathrockscourt and Posh Emily worthy of inclusion upon the shortlist. Phillip Hobbs team continue in good form and while French Saulaie has been a little disappointing this term, this switch to slightly better ground might just be in his favour. Rathrockscourt is another to drop down the weights following a couple of moderate runs. A proven good ground performer. he very much enters calculations despite the drop in trip. Posh Emily won an amateur riders event last time out but this is tougher. Calzaghe has become something of a standing dish in plating contests though has it to prove back in handicaps. Smoothly Does It has left Jim Best to join Venetia Williams. There was plenty to like about his reappearance bow. Freddy's Star is a previous course and distance winner while Tequilla Bob is making a debut in handicaps. A competitive race for the prizemoney but French Saulaie represents a yard in form and can make his experience count.
Rathrockscourt (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Behind, some late headway, never in contention, 7th of 16, 24l behind The Disengager (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
French Saulaie (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 6th, close up when hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 32l behind The Disengager (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Bella Haze (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Tequilla Bob (IRE) 13-8fav (11-1) Took keen hold, prominent, hit 3 out, challenged last, led narrowly soon after, kept on flat, headed last strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind You're So Vain (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Posh Emily 3-1 (10-7) In touch in chasing group, effort from 2 out, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Sandown 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Vertueux (10-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Smoothly Does It 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders on inside, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Akarshan (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Kilmeena Magic 9-2fav (10-13) Held up in rear, stayed on run in but never in contention, 7th of 16, 20l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Calzaghe (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Held up in last trio, headway on long run to 3 out, went modest 2nd on inside briefly soon after 3 out, well held 3rd when blundered 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 13l behind Lord Singer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
