prominent until 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
prominent until ridden 3 out, weakened next
in touch, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
close up, headway 2 out, every chance next, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish
led, ridden and not fluent 2 out and next, driven flat, headed towards finish
towards rear, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
in touch, pushed along 7th, ridden and headway 2 out, plugged on
close up, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on one pace
in rear, mistake 2nd, pushed along 7th, struggling next, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
Donna's Diamond won this in 2018 and was second in a Grade 2 here less than 12 months ago. He will have needed his run at Carlisle and, though not getting any younger, can’t be left out of calculations on his favoured ground. Chef D'oeuvre hasn’t run over hurdles in more than three years but was second over fences at Wetherby last month off today’s mark. Milvale has won over an extended 2m6f but hasn’t looked a stayer in two runs over further and disappointed last time at Kelso. Hijack shaped like a stayer here last time but is another with stamina to prove. Having split a couple of subsequent winners at Ascot, FARRANTS WAY failed to fire next time at Chepstow but probably warrants another chance given he’s had only six career starts and only three over hurdles.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, ridden and joined 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out, last of 6, 23 3/4l behind West To The Bridge (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Clyne 12-1 (11-8) Led, mistake 6th, headed when fell 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Hijack (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on run-in, always held, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind The Cob (11-2) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Potters Hedger 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Portrush Ted (11-12) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Farrants Way (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Prominent until after 1st, chased leaders, hit 3rd, struggling when hampered 3 out, 7th of 12, 19 3/4l behind Storm Arising (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Held up, tracked leaders after 5 out, went second before 4 out, soon ridden and no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Nearly Perfect (10-13) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Diger Daudaie (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden before 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Milvale (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, weakened and held after the last, 4th of 7, 8l behind Rock On Fruity (11-11) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Brummie Boys (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along and just kept pace with leaders over 2 out, soon outpaced after reminders, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Poppa Poutine (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
