took keen hold, held up in touch, disputing 4th at 9th, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd approaching 3 out until approaching last, 3rd and one pace flat, dropped to 4th close home
held up in last pair, pecked 7th, hit 12th, stayed on from 3 out, went modest 3rd close home
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 7th until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next
chased winner until approaching 7th, chased leaders, driven when hit 4 out and weakened soon after, plugged on flat
not always fluent, held up in rear, mistake 4th, mistake and pushed along 11th, no chance after
made all, pushed clear approaching 3 out, kept on gamely, driven out to hold on in closing stages
chased leading pair, hit 3rd, dropped to 5th 9th, outpaced 4 out, rallied chasing leaders next, went 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, just held
Most of these would have a chance on their best form but it's difficult to make a case for Roudoudou Ville on recent form and last year's winner Fruity O'Rooney appears to have lost his confidence and isn't getting any younger. Dolatulo was unlucky to be disqualified after beating Benbens at Stratford but is 4lb higher here. NICEONEFRANKIE hasn't made the frame in four starts since beating Double Ross at Ascot but the handicapper has given him a chance today and this trip looks ideal. He gets the nod getting 6lb from Domtaline. Buthelezi only won a three-runner race at Plumpton in December but Caulfields Venture has been in great form, though is upped in grade off an 8lb higher mark.
Roudoudou Ville (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Held up behind leaders on outside, closed and went 2nd 1st, 4th and outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon well beaten pulled up after, in a race won by Rosslyn Castle (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Domtaline (FR) 3-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 2f out until ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, lost 4th final stride, 5th of 13, 5l behind Tanks For That (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Dolatulo (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Left in led 1st, headed 3rd, in touch, led again 7th to 9th, with leader, ridden after 3 out, regained lead next, hard pressed when edged right flat, held on (demoted to 2nd), in a race won by Benbens (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Niceonefrankie 10-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, pushed along and every chance 4 out, slight peck 3 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Roalco De Farges (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Mar.
Buthelezi (USA) 25-1 (11-4) Led 2nd, headed 11th, soon lost place and behind, no danger after, 14th of 19, 39l behind Present View (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Fruity O'Rooney 6-1 (11-6) Led narrowly when hit and fell 1st, in a race won by Benbens (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd when not fluent 2 out, challenged last, not much room against rail flat, led towards finish, held on, won at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Regal Presence (11-11) by shd, 13 ran.
