held up mid-division, pushed along after 5 out, soon outpaced, kept on from over 2 out
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, clear before last, kept on strongly
led, clear until 4 out, soon headed and soon weakened, pulled up
held up towards rear, went 2nd before 3 out, blundered 2 out, lost 2nd place close home
held up mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced towards rear, plugged on from 2 out
tracked clear leader, in 3rd and ridden before last, weakened run-in
in rear, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous, pulled up
held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, outpaced 4 out, kept on after 2 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
The penny has certainly dropped with Chef Des Obeaux but there are question marks over the merit of his winning form in a race like this. Golan Fortune has done really well this season, winning three times and finishing a close-up second in a Grade 3 handicap last time at Sandown. SHANNON BRIDGE was easy to back in a Grade 2 at Doncaster three weeks ago but ran a cracker and was only headed in the shadows of the post. His form stands up to scrutiny and he’s the one to beat here if running up to his best as Coole Hall has to give 3lb to his rivals having not ventured this far south before. Piri Massini pounced late to beat a better-fancied stablemate at Fakenham but would need to take a big step froward to figure here and Global Stage needs to bounce back from a modest effort at Cheltenham.
Coole Hall (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, headway and not fluent 7th, switched right and 2nd before 2 out, hanging left when switched right before last, led last, hung left run-in, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan beating Knockrobin (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 10 ran.
Chef Des Obeaux (FR) 11-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd before 3 out where hit, led on long run before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Kempton 3m 1f (3) sft in Jan beating Secret Investor (11-2) by 19l, 6 ran.
Global Stage 11-2 (10-12) 2nd until after 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 6th, not fluent 8th, closed before 3 out, weakened 2 out, last of 4, dist behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Golan Fortune (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, good headway on wide outside before 2 out, 3rd soon after 2 out, went 2nd and hit last, ridden and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Topofthegame (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Just Your Type (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to go 4th before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Oxwich Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Piri Massini (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, dropped to last 9th, ridden 3f out, headway next, ridden and every chance last, soon led, driven out, won at Fakenham 2m 7f (3) hvy in Jan beating Rio Quinto (11-4) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Shannon Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, led 2 out, soon hard pressed, hit last, kept on and edged left run-in, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Uppertown Prince (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, joined from 2 out, headed narrowly before last, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Samuel Jackson (11-5) at Bangor 2m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
