keen early, led until pulled up after 4th
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, mistake next, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, beaten next, mistake last
chased leader until 2nd, left 2nd after 4th, ridden and beaten 3rd after 2 out, dropped to 4th towards finish
towards rear on outside, headway after 4th, mistake 4 out, lost place before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 6th, mistake next, lost place before 3 out, hanging badly left 2 out
chased leader from 2nd, left in lead after 4th, clear 2 out until last, headed flat, no impression towards finish
mid-division on outside, lost place before 5th, soon behind
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, stayed on same pace from 3 out, went 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led flat, driven out
in rear, not fluent 4th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
Informateur scored at Uttoxeter before going close again over course and distance recently. Jelski won at Bangor last month and has claims now handicapping for the first time along with The Con Man, a runner-up over a shorter trip here on his reappearance. Flinck is upped in class after scoring at Warwick and Don Juan Du Gouet also has something to prove at this level while Theatre Legend has been thereabouts over 2m recently but is now 10lb higher than when last successful. CRIXUS’S ESCAPE ended last year with a win at Ayr and was set a stiff task in Class 2 company on last month’s return. But he ran well for a long way on that occasion and should be shaper today in what looks an open affair.
The Linksman (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up in 4th, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Fakenham 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Theatre Legend 3-1 (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, 2nd before 2 out, ridden and hung left from between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cornerstone Lad (12-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Crixus's Escape (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Bordeaux Bill (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Informateur (FR) 2-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, close 3rd when not fluent 2 out, stayed on final 100 yards, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Newtown Boy (11-4) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Altruism (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Wells De Lune (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Jelski (GER) 1-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, hanging left when mistake last, drew clear flat, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) hvy in Nov beating Dublin Four (10-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
The Con Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, challenged 3 out, edged left and led flat, soon headed and outpaced by winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Marie's Rock (10-7) at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, weakened after 5 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Minella Charmer (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Zig Zag (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Chased leaders until lost place and towards rear after 5th, behind 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, 34 3/4l behind Thomas Macdonagh (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Flinck (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway before 5th, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Aliandy (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Don Juan Du Gouet (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, steadied next, effort on inside after 5th, not much room 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 30l behind Haafapiece (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
