held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
in touch, not fluent 6th, under pressure before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort on inside after 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, lost place before 2 out
settled towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
made all, 6 lengths clear before 1st, hit 5th, challenged after 3 out, stayed on strongly after last
tracked clear leader, took closer order approaching 5th, every chance when mistake 2 out, rallied after last, kept on well under pressure
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, stayed on after last, never on terms
Nonrunner
Brother Tedd has a perfect record here and took the prized scalp of Silviniaco Conti over track and trip two runs ago. But he now races off a mark of 153 and has a stopping weight in the conditions. Three of the last four winners of this Listed handicap had won their previous start but Gevrey Chambertin, along with Yala Enki are likely to be going to Chepstow and there are slight stamina doubts surrounding Ludlow scorer Bivouac. But Ibis Du Rheu was closing at the finish when just beaten at Newbury and is a strong traveller. WESTREN WARRIOR (NAP) won easily in the mud at Lingfield and an earlier second at Southwell has worked out well with the winner landing a competitive Cheltenham contest subsequently – Richard Newlands' novice could be well treated on his handicap debut so gets the nod.
Brother Tedd 13-8fav (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, tracked winner 2nd, challenged 2 out, every chance when left in 2nd place last, ridden and one pace run-in, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rock On Ruby (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov.
Un Ace (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner from last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Virgilio (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up in rear on inside, not fluent 3rd or 5th, headway 11th, outpaced before 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, dist behind Three Musketeers (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Bivouac (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, soon led, ridden and edged left flat, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Ruacana (11-10) by 1l, 7 ran.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, struggling in rear 3 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out and pulled up before the last, at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd last, driven into 2nd run-in, strong challenge close home, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Royal Guardsman (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Yala Enki (FR) 5-1 (10-10) Led to 2nd, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 16, 26 1/4l behind Baradari (11-2) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Westren Warrior (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, went 2nd before 5th, led 3 out, clear next, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec beating Get Ready Freddy (10-12) by 30l, 7 ran.
Little Boy Boru (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 7th and in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, 8th of 10, 8 1/4l behind If In Doubt (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Gevrey Chambertin (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear between last two, very easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating First Avenue (11-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Unowhatimeanharry 11-10fav (11-4) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway after 3 out, led after next, edged right before last, pressed flat, found more to assert final 100 yards, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Final Nudge (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
