held up in mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous after
raced keenly, always prominent, hung right from over 2f out, led inside final 2f, headed and readily outpaced inside final furlong
held up tracking leaders on inside, every chance over 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway going well looking for room over 2f out, switched right inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, quickened readily clear
held up and behind, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
led and set steady pace, quickened home turn, headed entering final 2f, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
held up in last pair, headway on inside and every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, 4th and one pace inside final furlong
The newcomers require a market check with Colin Tizzard's Seymour Promise making most appeal on paper in an interesting bumper. Es Perfecto has a first run for Alan King since winning a point-to-point easily and is interesting whilst Lord Baddesley showed a race like this should be within his range when a close second at Worcester. However, that was in October and preference is for DIAMOND RIVER for a yard with an excellent record in these races. He may have been a beaten favourite on his Warwick debut last month but ran with great credit and that rates the best form on offer. Duc Du Bourbon seems a surefire improver too and could prove the main danger.
Coral Lad (IRE) Shirocco gelding out of Gli Gli.
Diamond River (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Prominent, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, 3rd and held final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 18, 5 3/4l behind Here Comes Mccoy (11-5) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Es Perfecto (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Ld early, 3l adv 1/2way, sl adv 4out, hdd 2out, disp at last, so best run in & won gng away, won at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Ahead Of The Field (11-11) by 12l, 13 ran.
Fern Hill (IRE) Dylan Thomas gelding out of Water Rock.
Hoi Polloi (IRE) Shantou gelding out of Backtothekingsnest.
Lord Baddesley (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway and hung left over 1f out, stayed on well, pressed winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Dragon Bones (10-5) at Worcester 2m (5) gs in Oct.
Troed Y Parc 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 13, dist behind Soaring Glory (11-4) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Duc De Bourbon (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 5f out, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong, 4th of 13, 17 1/4l behind Grand Roi (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Dec.
Seymour Promise (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Loadsapromise.
