mid-division, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, no impression
in rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, outpaced when mistake next, soon weakened
held up behind, some headway on inside approaching 2 out, weakened last
took keen hold, led clear pair to 5th, edged left approaching 2 out, ridden and hard pressed last, kept on, no extra when headed and lost 2 places towards finish
tracked clear pair, close up 5th, lost place 3 out, headway 2 out, soon ridden, rallied towards stands side rail flat, led towards finish
went left and slowly away, pulled hard towards rear, headway into mid-division 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, disputed 3rd when blundered next, no impression approaching last
mid-division, close up 5th, chased leading pair 3 out, went 2nd before next, ridden and every chance last, kept on flat
mid-division, chased leaders briefly 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
tracked leader and clear to 5th, lost place before 2 out, weakened before last
The four-year-old Xenophon looks to have a lot to do against older horses for the first time after a lay-off, while New Code was pulled up at Sandown after winning at Plumpton in October. Pascha Bere and Sports Line are probably better over fences and Remember Now has been disappointing so far this season. Dream Esteem is still a maiden and hasn't raced for more than 10 months but there are definite possibilities about J'Adhere, who bounced back to form at Taunton last month, and Zafranagar. The latter won easily at Wetherby on Boxing Day and is a previous C&D winner but narrow preference is for LUCAINDUBAI. He pulled hard and made mistakes when fifth at Sandown last week but was probably a little fresh after three months off and is likely to be more honed here. He's on a decent mark at present and shouldn't be far away today.
Pascha Bere (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Prominent, weakened rapidly before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Celestial Halo (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Sports Line (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) In rear, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Dubai Crest (10-6) at Doncaster 2m Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Remember Now (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, took keen hold, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Desert Cry (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Rebel Dancer (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Always in rear, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.
Dream Esteem 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Blue Nymph (11-5) at Doncaster 2m mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Lucaindubai (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd and hit 3 out, led briefly approaching next, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 13l behind Ciceron (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
J'Adhere (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd next, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec beating Dantari (11-7) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Zafranagar (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon led, driven out from last, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Ananda Kanda (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
New Code 12-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden after 6th, behind approaching 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Thanks For Coming (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Xenophon 5-1 (11-5) Made most, driven clear approaching 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, eased flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Kalkan Bay (10-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
