raced keenly, left tracking winner from 2nd, outpaced when winner quickened pace 3 out, ridden after next, no chance when hit last
left tracking front pair 2nd until after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
led and set steady gallop from 1st, made rest, quickened pace 3 out, soon clear, in no danger after, pushed out, very easily
reluctantly led until jumped slowly 1st, tracked winner, fell next
held up towards rear, left 4th at 2nd, chased front pair after 5th, disputed 2nd before 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with clear pair from next
mistake 1st, raced keenly, held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never involved, soon weakened, tailed off
This is a potentially informative contest with Demopolis, who made a winning debut at Auteuil in May, having a first run for Philip Hobbs. THE BIG BITE (NAP), who had smart bumper form, made a winning start over timber at Chepstow and is held in high regard. He should prove hard to beat, though Darksideoftarnside is an interesting debutant for Ian Williams having won twice on the Flat on ground with some give. Noble Warrior was an easy winner at Uttoxeter but, like the maidens Fibonacci and Diocese, faces a stiff task in this grade.
Demopolis (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 1m 7f sft in May beating Shark Du Berlais (10-10) by nk, 13 ran.
Noble Warrior (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leader, not always fluent, shaken up and 2 lengths down when left well clear 2 out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov beating Justthegrey (10-12) by 9l, 3 ran.
The Big Bite (IRE) 9-4cfav (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led and not fluent 2 out, shaken up briefly to asset flat, easily, won at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Jammy George (11-5) by 5l, 16 ran.
Darksideoftarnside (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Tracked leader until 10f out, close up, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Alfredo (10-2) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Diocese (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chasing leaders when mistake next, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 25 1/2l behind Highland Hunter (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Fibonacci 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in touch, headway chasing leaders when stumbled badly 3 out, weakened next, 15th of 16, dist behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
