led, not fluent 6th, ridden and headed home turn, weakened thereafter, off pace when fell last
chased leader, took it up travelling well 4 out, clear 2 out, ran on well from last, unchallenged
held up, hampered by fallen rival 9th and dropped to rear, mistake 10th, weakened 4 out
chased leader, disputed lead home turn, dropped to 2nd 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd
in rear, not fluent 8th, headway to go 3rd 4 out, ridden to go 2nd 2 out but could not go pace of leader, kept on same pace from last
help up, fell 9th
Antey has switched stables and looks up against it in this company. Shakem Up'arry won a handicap over 2m here five weeks ago but may not be as effective over this longer trip. Both of Papa Tango Charly’s victories have come at Carlisle but he might have more to offer and the mare Clondaw Caitlin has had a wind operation since finishing fourth in a Listed race at Warwick. MINELLA DRAMA had excuses when a little below par in the Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown last month. He goes beyond 2m for the first time over fences having shown smart form over this trip over hurdles last year. Hardy Du Seuil has won twice over the larger obstacles but this is a big step up in class.
Antey (GER) 3-1 (12-0) Led, 4 lengths clear at 8th, slight mistake 4 out, pressed when slight mistake 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and no impression entering straight, no extra run-in, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Fancy Foundations (12-0) at Sligo 2m 4f gd in Sep.
Minella Drama (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Kept wide, held up in last trio, headway chasing leaders 4 out, soon hung right and no impression in 4th, dropped to 5th final strides, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Edwardstone (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Papa Tango Charly (FR) 5-6fav (11-10) Front mid-division, went 3rd travelling well 3 out, pressed leader before 2 out, led 2 out, strongly pressed after last, ridden and stayed on well, always doing enough, won at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Uncle Alastair (11-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Jumped well, pressed leader, led going well before 4 out, 2 lengths ahead 2 out, went further clear between last two, easily, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Casa Tall (11-2) by 8l, 6 ran.
Hardy Du Seuil (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden and slightly hampered 2 out, ridden and every chance next, driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Hereford 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Sarasota Star (11-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Clondaw Caitlin (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 10th, chased leaders, 2nd again next, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind The Glancing Queen (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
