led, not fluent 2nd, fell next
tracked leader, hampered and left in lead 3rd, driven flat, stayed on, increasing advantage towards finish
held up in last pair, hampered 3rd, pushed along after 7th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, left 2nd at the 3rd, lost 2nd and when mistake 3 out, weakened from next
held up in last pair, hampered 3rd, niggled along 7th, went 2nd 3 out, never able to challenge winner but kept on
Dulce Panem produced his best run so far for Rebecca Menzies at Ayr eight days ago. Catchin Time and War Creation both have the ability to figure in a race like this and Cowslip returned to winning ways at Bangor, though this looks on the short side. DU SOLEIL won his bumper here two years ago and stayed on dourly to score at Uttoxeter last month after another break. On that evidence, the longer distance here will suit.
Du Soleil (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Went left and bumped 1st, chased leaders, led approaching 4th and soon clear, headed before 2 out, chased leaders, switched right approaching last, went 2nd and rallied run-in, driven to lead close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Captiva Island (10-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
War Creation (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, edged left and beaten after 2 out, no extra, 4th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Man Look (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Catchin Time (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, good headway on outside and every chance 3 out, went 3rd soon after, hung right and weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cowslip 5-1 (11-12) Close up, headway 3 out, led next, 5 lengths clear when hit last, won at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Tara Well (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.
Dulce Panem (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, in 4th and one pace before last, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Charmant (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.