prominent in chasing group, pushed along and lost place before 10th, towards rear and never on terms after, blundered 12th
held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, chasing leaders disputing 3rd when blundered badly 2 out, not recover but kept on into 3rd towards finish
mistake 1st, towards rear, steady headway out wide 9th, chasing leading trio before 12th, 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner when went badly left 3 out
chased (clear) leader, not fluent 9th, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened soon after
well in rear, blundered 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
made all and soon clear, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
soon towards rear, hit 2nd, steady headway on inside after 8th, chased leaders after next, pushed along and one pace in 3rd before 3 out, weakened into 4th towards finish
prominent in chasing group, lost place in 5th when fell 12th
soon off the pace towards rear, blundered 11th, hit next, never on terms
always behind, tailed off
This looks wide-open but November’s Huntingdon winner Awake At Midnight goes on the shortlist along with OURO BRANCO, who has returned from a break in excellent form and can get his head back in front. My Way has started favourite in three of his last four outings but is now 0-12 over fences. Monsieur D’Arque had wind surgery in November and connections have been waiting for the better ground. If he’s fully wound-up, Dan Skelton’s charge could be a threat but course and distance winner Captain Blackpearl failed to cope with a 13lb rise at Doncaster and Guy has also struggled off higher marks since scoring at Huntingdon in the autumn.
The Devils Drop (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Close up, ridden 3 out, chased leading pair approaching next, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 14 1/2l behind The Ferry Master (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Captain Blackpearl 2-1fav (11-8) Held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, hit next, slow 4 out, struggling when mistake 3 out, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Evander (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Awake At Midnight 8-1 (11-3) Held up, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, went clear approaching last, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Sizing Cusimano (11-4) by 14l, 6 ran.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 11-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, effort before 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Braqueur D'Or (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden after 18th, lost ground rapidly and pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
My Way (FR) 5-2fav (10-0) Led 1st, bad mistake and headed next, led 4th, headed after 5 out, 3rd and held from 3 out, left 2nd last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Cepage (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Guy (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) In rear, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Eclair Surf (11-10) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ouro Branco (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, led, went clear 3rd until 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and mistake last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Fagan (12-0) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
No Hidden Charges (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden and struggling half way down the far side final circuit, pulled up before 3 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Monsieur D'Arque (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, took closer order 6th, pecked 4 out, ridden after 3 out, left second last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 8 1/2l behind Eritage (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
