chased leader, led before 3 out, soon headed, weakened from 2 out
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway before 3 out, no impression, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, led when mistake 3 out, well clear flat, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened before 3 out, well behind before 2 out, soon pulled up
led, not fluent 4th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
soon well behind
mid-division, closed after 4th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division on outside, closed before 3rd, went 2nd 3 out until before last, went 2nd again flat, no impression on winner
towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd flat
always towards rear, well beaten before 3 out
John Betjeman placed at Kempton recently but this testing ground may be a problem and GRAIN D’OUDAIRIES (NAP) is preferred. The latter got his head back in front dropped down into this grade at Uttoxeter and can go in again with Donald McCain’s yard in good form. Uno Mas is not badly treated on his winning from and this is easier than recent tasks but Port Or Starboard still looks a shade high in the weights judged on recent placed efforts.
John Betjeman 14-1 (12-2) Close up, tracked leaders 4th, ridden 2 out, chased winner flat, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Tapley (12-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Grain D'oudairies (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, went 3rd home turn, chased leader after 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on dourly run-in and led narrowly final 110 yards, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Sizing Pottsie (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Milldam (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Midfield, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Oscars Moonshine (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Interne De Sivola (FR) 22-1 (12-2) Tended to jump slightly left, prominent, jumped left and hampered rival 1st, pressed leader before 2nd, led 4th, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 33 1/4l behind Asian Spice (10-6) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Ileny Royale (FR) 14-1 (12-0) (h) chsd ldr til led 12; hdd 3 out; wkng when hit last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Reine Des Tartes (11-0) at Badbury Rings 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Max's Champ (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Never travelling in rear, awkward 3rd, soon pulled up, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Uno Mas 8-1 (10-7) Prominent until after 1st, chased leaders, front pair went clear 2nd, went 3rd after 7th, unable to trouble leading pair from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 7l behind The Imposter (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Out Of Focus (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway on inside tracking leaders before 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 30 1/2l behind The Jukebox Man (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Port Or Starboard (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along and every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind El Jefe (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Tiger Voice (FR) 80-1 (12-0) Always in rear, 13th of 15, dist behind Lady Gwen (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
