led until hung badly left headed and dropped to 3rd at 14th, went badly left next, rallied well to hold every chance 2 out, soon 2nd, stayed on run-in to lead final strides
tracked leading pair, left in close 2nd at 15th, ridden to lead 2 out, driven and wandered run-in, headed and unable to quicken final strides
kept bit wide, tracked winner, left in lead 15th, headed and weakened quickly 2 out
ROYALE PAGAILLE came off second best in a match at Chepstow on his debut for new connections having previously placed in a Listed race over fences in France. He’ll strip fitter today and Venetia Williams’ charge gets the nod over Equus Secretus. The latter ran well without threatening the winner when fifth in a handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and has his first outing since. Winning pointer Lies About Milan has placed in both starts over timber but has no easy task on his chasing bow.
Equus Secretus (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Handy, hampered 12th, every chance 3 out, lost place and beaten next, 5th of 10, 10 1/4l behind Doing Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Lies About Milan (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Led 2nd until approaching 3 out, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8 1/2l behind The Jitterbug (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Royale Pagaille (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Chased sole rival, not fluent 8th, hit 10th, every chance 4 out, soon given reminder and beaten, well held when not fluent 2 out, last of 2, 9 1/2l behind Vision Des Flos (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (3) hvy in Jan.
