tracked leaders, lost places 5 out, rallied 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace
close up, tracked winner 4 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, switched left run in, stayed on towards finish
in touch, headway 6 out, tracked leaders, 2 lengths down when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
keen close up, mistake 8th and lost places, rallied 2 out, stayed on run in
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never nearer
made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely
tracked winner until 8th, pushed along 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, never nearer
in rear, struggling 5 out, stayed on run in, nearest finish
close up, mistake 4 out, hampered next, weakening when unseated rider last
Clan Legend was all out to win a small race at Kelso last month and has been raised 4lb. Ard Chros won a lesser race at Ayr and may struggle to keep up with these 2m specialists around here while Billingsley had an easy lead at Hereford and is 5lb higher. Zizaneur clearly has jumping issues but Sir Egbert has bounced back from poor runs in the past and it’s far from certain that the enigmatic Ubaltique, who won this in 2017 and 2018, will confirm recent form over course and distance. LE COEUR NET gives the impression he saves a bit for himself but 7lb claimer Ben Godfrey coaxed him home at Wincanton last month and a 4lb rise is offset by the fact that he has his favoured ground again. Fiddlers Bow is a late developer who was only headed close home on his reappearance at Doncaster but he’s never won on ground as heavy as this.
Clan Legend 3-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 8th, headed and not much room after 3 out, led again before next, mistake last, pressed flat, stayed on gamely and holding rival towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Goldencard (11-5) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Muratello (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Well off the pace in last pair, closer in mid-division after 4th, headway approaching 10th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 24 1/2l behind Commanche Red (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Zizaneur (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, about 4 lengths up when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Taunton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Sir Egbert 5-2 (11-10) Led, hit 4th and 6th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, last of 5, 21 1/4l behind Joke Dancer (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Go Long (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Off the pace in 5th, closer at 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Defi Sacre (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Billingsley (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Disputed lead until led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Saint De Vassy (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ard Chros (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Made most, ridden after 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Casual Cavalier (11-0) by 9l, 5 ran.
Fiddlers Bow (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, close 2nd before 3 out, upsides 2 out, led before last, ridden and found nil run-in, headed and no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Well Smitten (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ubaltique (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway into 3rd after 5 out, driven to challenge after next, not fluent last, faded flat, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Joke Dancer (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Le Coeur Net (FR) 2-1fav (10-13) In touch on outside, hit 2nd, challenged before 4 out, led before 2 out where not fluent, ridden out flat, just held on, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Saintemilion (11-8) by nk, 6 ran.
