Potterath has won here and over the trip though he's 10lb higher than his last winning mark. Halifax is still a maiden after a dozen starts and has yet to prove he stays this far. Chloe's Court isn't a prolific winner but stays the trip and isn't badly handicapped but the vote goes to PRINCE DES FICHAUX. Sam Thomas' charge showed plenty of potential in the spring and was well supported for his reappearance in a Bangor handicap where he led for a long way before blowing up. Itacare was in good form on quick ground in the spring and found soft going against him at Kempton last month.
Itacare (FR) 14-1 (11-13) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 3 out, weakened home turn, tailed off, 5th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Good News (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
What About Time (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Close up, driven along 4 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Blenkinsop (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Lucky So And So (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Front mid-division, went prominent before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, ran on one pace, 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Fair Frontieres (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (4) gs in Mar.
Drop Him In (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Held up, ridden and headway 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 16 1/2l behind Last Quarter (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Nickelsonthedime (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led, jumped left 5th, ridden after 4 out, headed after next, lost place before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 21 1/4l behind I Spy A Diva (12-2) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Halifax (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, jumped left 8th, headway on outside 9th, no impression after 2 out, 3rd and well held last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind The Questioner (10-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Chloe's Court (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In leading pair, clear lead after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed on run in, ran on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Last Quarter (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Prince Des Fichaux (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Led, headed after 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Betterforeveryone (11-13) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Pottlerath (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, led 2 out, hard pressed and headed last, rallied briefly run-in but no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Braganza Bay (10-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Shantou Sunset 18-1 (10-5) Tracked leader on outside, pushed along and outpaced home turn, weakened last, 4th of 5, 11 1/4l behind Coquelicot (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Hurricane Vichi (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, kept on, 4th of 12, 27l behind Authorised Speed (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
