shade keen, tracked leading pair, ridden along and readily outpaced before 2 out, weakened
never fluent, always last, outpaced and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
reluctant to line up, well away and raced keenly, led until headed and hit 2 out, ridden and stayed on same pace after
The smart Sceau Royal won this in 2016 and his trainer Alan King runs French import Fret D'estruval, though he was well beaten on his UK debut in this grade at Cheltenham. Beat The Judge beat PRABENI more than six lengths at Kempton but the latter is now 8lb better off and will be better suited by this quicker surface. Westbrook Bertie trounced a subsequent winner at Fontwell on Boxing Day and his yard is in cracking form so he shouldn’t be ignored but Spectaculis showed nothing in a light career on the Flat and would be a surprise winner.
Fret D'Estruval (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leader until after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, dist behind Nelson River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gd in Dec.
Prabeni 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on from last, went never dangerous 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Beat The Judge (10-12) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Spectaculis 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, lost place over 2f out, last of 4, 23 1/2l behind Here's Alice (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f stks (5) fm in Sep.
Westbrook Bertie 11-8fav (10-12) Made all, clear from before 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Poucor (10-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, smooth headway on inside after 3 out, challenged next, led last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Chaparral Prince (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
