chased leaders on outside, ran in snatches, struggling 14th, behind from next, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, not fluent 2nd, led 4th, clear from 3 out, stayed on well
behind, mistake 12th, tailed off 14th, pulled up after 18th
led until 4th, chased winner, reminder after 13th and 14th, lost 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner from next, gamely took 2nd again after last
held up, not always fluent, ridden in 4th 17th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 17th, went 2nd from 4 out, no impression on winner next, dropped to 3rd from last
Richard Hobson’s yard has won with three of it’s last four runners including LORD DU MESNIL’s victory over a shorter trip here last week. The latter made all to land a double in good style on that occasion and looks capable of defying a hike in the weights in his current frame of mind. It was faster going when Perfect Candidate scored over track and trip last month though the veteran should figure again while Potters Legend ran a fine race when placed in Grade 3 company at Cheltenham in November and is another to consider. Thomas Patrick showed progressive form in 2018 but has lost his way subsequently and slipped back down the weights.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 5th, dropped to last at 7th, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-6) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Feb.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Made all, drew clear 2 out, easily, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating Calipso Collonges (10-8) by 13l, 9 ran.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, collided with rail after 9th, went 2nd from 13th, lost place after 3 out, no impression before last, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Diesel D'Allier (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led or disputed lead throughout, went on after 5 out, clear between last 2, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Moving In Style (10-11) by 7l, 9 ran.
Potters Legend 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along on long run before 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind West Approach (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Classic Ben (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Raced wide mainly tracked leader until ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Graceful Legend (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
