midfield, smooth progress to track leaders after 4 out, hit front 3 out and readily drew clear, ridden clear late on before eased down
led, untidy 8th, headed 4 out, ridden before 3 out where badly hampered and lost ground, could not recover
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, restrained towards rear jumping 4th, ridden after 4 out, never competitive
midfield, pushed after 4 out and outpaced, ridden before 3 out where slow and hampered slightly, kept on one pace
towards rear, awkward 8th, pushed after 4 out and outpaced, headway before ridden after 3 out, 2nd when hit 2 out, mistake last, kept on behind easy winner
tracked leaders, hit 4 out, ridden before 3 out where mistake, 3rd jumping 2 out, kept on
pestered leader, led 4 out, travelled well approaching 3 out where mistake and unseated rider
NonRunner
Mint Condition edges this on official ratings courtesy of a fine second in this grade at Warwick. He’s made giant strides this season but is attempting this trip for the first time. Late Romantic, more likely to run at Wincanton, is a strong stayer over fences but a maiden over hurdles and hasn’t raced over the smaller obstacles since 2018. Young Buck had plenty in hand when getting his head back in front at Chepstow and Mr Harp could run well at a price stepping out of handicaps. But a race likes this looks tailor-made for ALAPHILIPPE, who still ran a cracking race at Taunton when beaten for the first time under Rules. He was beaten less than a length by the unbeaten Stellar Magic when conceding 4lb and has been crying out for a step up to 3m.
Alaphilippe (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, closer tracking leaders before 3 out, went 2nd before last, every chance run-in, pressed winner and every chance run-in, found no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Stellar Magic (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Beatthebullet (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway chasing leaders 3 out, went left 2 out, 2nd at the last, strong challenge run-in, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Hereford 3m 2f (4) sft in Nov beating Young Buck (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Exploiteur (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Waited with towards rear, smooth headway tracking leaders after 4 out, 2nd travelling well before led next, mistake and headed 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd, weakened into 4th and mistake last, 4th of 12, 13 3/4l behind The Cob (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (1) sft in Jan.
Le Cheval Noir (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, faded over 1f out, 7th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Who's My Jockey (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f (4) pol in Feb.
Mint Condition 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well flat, went 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Adrimel (11-3) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Mr Harp (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Mid-division, switched right and headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Imperial Alcazar (11-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Tupelo Mississippi (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leader until blundered 2nd, soon in last pair, driven 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not fluent last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind Gladiateur Allen (11-2) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jan.
Young Buck (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased leader, led 3 out, well clear last, idled and reduced lead inside final 100 yards, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Feb beating Cap St Vincent (10-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Late Romantic (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, mistake 14th, headway 18th, not fluent 4 out, soon switched right, no extra 2 out, 5th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Notachance (10-5) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
