held up, rapid headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden to dispute lead 3 out, took it up 2 out, pressed again last when jumped well, kept on well flat, gamely
prominent, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened thereafter
led, ridden and pressed 4 out, headed 3 out, every chance last when slow jump, stayed on well from last, never getting to winner
mid division, pushed along and dropped to rear 5 out, pulled up after 4 out
chased leader, headway to challenge 4 out, soon outpaced by leaders, plugged on from 2 out, no extra flat
mid division, struggling and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off
mid division, mistakes at 7 and 5 out, pushed along and weakened 4 out, pulled up soon after
held up, not fluent 11th and 12th, headway on outside 5 out, soon outpaced by leaders and weakened quickly, pulled up after 4 out
mid division, headway to track leaders home turn, ridden and outpaced 4 out, plugged on from 3 out, stayed on strongly from last to go 3rd
chased leader, pushed along and dropped to rear 12th, pulled up after 6 out
A typically-competitive renewal of this Grade 2 handicap. Lord Du Mesnil is a real mud-lover who is seeking a fourth win in five runs over these fences. He came back to form when runner-up in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and holds veteran Lake View Lad on that run but Empire Steel was travelling best when falling four out in that contest and the pair meet on the same terms. Remastered was going well before falling in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in November but slightly disappointing when brushed aside by Enqarde over this track and trip subsequently. Sam Brown may not be the force of old but ROYALE PAGAILLE is very much at the top of his game. He was left behind by A Plus Tard in the Betfair here in November but returned with a deep wound on a hind leg. He’s been giving plenty of time to recover and can repeat last year’s success in this off a 7lb higher mark. Kalooki has gone up 5lb for winning narrowly at Doncaster and Alnadam has still to prove his stamina so Kempton second Fortescue may be best of the rest with Hugh Nugent taking off 5lb.
Royale Pagaille (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Close up and pestered leader early, led 10th, not fluent 5 out, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon left behind by winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 22l behind A Plus Tard (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gs in Nov.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leader, led after 9th, headed 10th, upsides 11th, lost place and ridden after 13th, chased leader 3 out, close up 2 out, could not match winner from last, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Sam Brown 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, left behind by front pair 4 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, dist behind Protektorat (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway when not fluent 10th, lost ground and pushed along 11th, left in distant 4th 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Remastered 9-4fav (11-13) Wore hood to post, always prominent on inside, went 2nd after 15th, led 4 out, joined 2 out, headed soon after, stayed on same pace before hit the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Enqarde (10-9) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Kalooki (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 10th, not fluent 4 out, stayed on to take 2nd when pecked 2 out, led with good jump last, headed towards finish, led again close home, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Cat Tiger (11-4) by ns, 7 ran.
Alnadam (FR) 5-1jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, close up 3 out, beaten 4th from 2 out, kept on, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 11 3/4l behind Vienna Court (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Empire Steel (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Restrained towards rear, midfield 5th, not fluent 12th, pressed leader 5 out, upsides when fell 4 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Fortescue 7-2jfav (11-4) Chased leaders, good jump to dispute lead briefly 11th, soon restrained behind leaders, led 4 out, soon joined, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, ran on well, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Five Star Getaway (10-11) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Sam's Adventure 18-1 (11-9) Towards rear, mistake and reminder after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 15th, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
