raced awkwardly and keen, kept wide tracking winner, reminder after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened and eased when no chance
made all, in command before last, stayed on well, unchallenged
tracked leading pair on inside, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd before next, switched right before last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Monsieur Lecoq was never travelling at Sandown earlier this month but was just beaten off a 4lb higher mark at Ascot in October. Eritage has been racing over longer trips but will have needed the run at Newbury in November. PRINCE ESCALUS is a just a pound higher than when going close at Wetherby in October so gets the nod having more scope than his two rivals.
Eritage (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Led, clear 2nd, pecked 3rd, reduced lead before 7th, headed before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 31 1/2l behind Fanion D'estruval (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Led, not always fluent, edged right after 9th, pressed 3 out, soon headed, stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 4, shd behind Return Ticket (12-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Monsieur Lecoq (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Raced keenly tracking leaders out wide, lost place 5th, jumped slowly and reminders 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Not Available (IRE) 3-1 (10-2) Pressed winner until 5th, tracked winner, pushed along 7th, dropped to rear 3 out, weakened next, last of 4, 18 1/2l behind Brave Seasca (10-6) at Warwick 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.