not fluent 1st in rear, went into 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last
made all, jumped slightly left throughout, went clear after 2 out, unchallenged
chased leader, not go with winner after 2 out, ridden before last where jumped left, faded run-in
raced in 3rd, lost place and pushed along 4 out, soon well behind and tailed off
towards rear, in touch, shaken up before 3 out and one paced, pushed along and went into 2nd final fence, kept on, no chance with easy winner
Duc De Beauchene needs further and the drying ground is not in his favour. Moonlighter is well treated but usually makes at least one serious error and has failed to complete in three of his last six outings. FINANCIER is only 2lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago and may have been aimed at the race again having only had two runs so far this term. Fanzio is hard to catch right but the going has turned in his favour so he looks a danger along with Prince Escalus, who beat a subsequent winner here in January and has only gone up 4lb.
Financier 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 4th lost place hit 7th, weakened before next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 5-4fav (11-1) Made all, in command before last, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Hereford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Monsieur Lecoq (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 3 ran.
Moonlighter 10-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway when went badly left at 8th and left in 4th, went left next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 32 3/4l behind Dolos (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Fanzio (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Close up, tracked leaders approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance next, stayed on run in to press for 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Cedar Hill (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, blundered 3rd, soon detached, well behind 5 out, last of 5, 23l behind Destined To Shine (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
