held up in close touch, headway 12th, chased leader next, led 2 out, in command before last, came clear flat and stayed on strongly
slight lead, narrowly headed 4th, with leader, not fluent 7th, led again narrowly before 9th, headed before when mistake 12th, weakened next, tailed off and eased
raced on inside, held up in close 6th, headway 4 out, disputing well held 3rd before 2 out until hit last, kept on to press for that position flat
chased leading trio, ridden 12th, weakened next, soon lost touch, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after
raced on inside, with leader, led narrowly after 4th, narrowly headed before 9th, led again before 12th, headed 2 out, no impression on wnner before last
raced wide, mostly chased leading pair, driven along and one pace well before 2 out,
The blinkers didn't work as well a second time on Pacco and, though still fairly treated on his best form, the top weight is passed over here. Whatever Next probably ran his best race so far in this country when fourth at Warwick last month but may still be too high in the weights, while Theophrastus hasn't shown a great deal so far over fences despite attracting market support on a couple of occasions. Signatory could improve for the step up in trip, however, while Portrait Royale reserves his best for this track though may just be in the handicapper's grip now. That leaves RATEABLE VALUE, who may well have beaten Silver Dollars at Warwick last month had Joe Tizzard not lost his reins after the last. The winner franked the form next time and the lightly-raced seven-year-old can gain compensation here.
Pacco (FR) 8-1 (11-11) In rear when hampered 1st, not fluent 14th, under pressure when jumped right 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 21l behind Rey Nacarado (11-6) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Whatever Next (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway and in touch on outside 2nd, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 19l behind Mr Big (11-4) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Theophrastus (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up after 15th, in a race won by Minella Boys (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 14 ran.
Signatory (USA) 9-1 (11-11) Held up behind in touch, switched to race wide after 10th, headway next, effort 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 8, 27l behind Silver Dollars (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Rateable Value 8-1 (11-0) Made most, ridden between last 2, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Silver Dollars (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 12th, rallied and chasing leaders when not much room and slightly hampered 3 out, weakened soon after next, modest 5th when hit last, 6th of 9, 29l behind Hobb's Dream (9-13) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
