held up in 4th, not fluent 5 out, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, never able to challenge
tracked front pair, went 2nd 3 out, outpaced by front pair after next, ridden and rallied to chase winner flat, held towards finish
held up in rear, smooth headway and close up on outer 3 out, 2nd and poised to challenge after next, upsides when mistake last, ridden to lead flat, kept on towards finish
disputed lead to 1st, tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
led, set strong pace, driven when hard pressed after 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra
Simply Ned is in the veteran stage now but was awarded a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last season on the disqualification of the smart Min, who beat him again later at the same track. He’s only a pound higher than when winning this in 2015 but may just need the run. Vaniteux is also a useful 2m chaser when in the mood but David Pipe has been experimenting with longer trips recently. VOSNE ROMANEE (NAP) is at the opposite stage of his career and on an upward curve. He beat Theflyingportrait, winner of this in 2016, by an easy six lengths at Stratford in July and can defy a 6lb rise. Nuts Well still has scope but has a lengthy absence to overcome and would have preferred a softer surface.
Simply Ned (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Raced in moderate 6th early, went moderate 4th at 6th and chased front pair 3 out, 4th and no impression from before last where left 3rd, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd near line, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Min (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Vosne Romanee 5-6fav (11-12) Held up off the pace in 5th, pushed along before 4 out, headway next, driven to challenge on outer turning into straight, led before last, ridden clear flat, readily, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Theflyingportrait (11-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
Nuts Well Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leaders and in rear, went 2nd before 3 out, not fluent last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on, won at Carlisle 2m (2) sft in Nov beating Derintoher Yank (11-2) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Vaniteux (FR) 9-2 (11-8) In touch on inside, headway chasing leaders when left in 3rd place 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Swingbridge (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked winner to 7th, in touch until weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Wells De Lune (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
