waited with in rear, closer in 4th at 7th, headway between horses approaching 3 out, 3rd and one pace between last 2, mistake last
tracked leaders on inside, disputing 2nd at 5th, outright 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
jumped well, tracked leader, led 3rd, went left next, came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly
led until 3rd, chased winner until 5th, outpaced in rear at 7th, weakened soon after, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, disputing 2nd 5th, pushed along after 4 out, dropped to 3rd 3 out, driven and no extra in 4th between last 2
Sceau Royal is proven in this grade and should strip fitter for his run in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, though is conceding weight all round. Duc Des Genievres won the Arkle in March but hasn’t reproduced that form in three subsequent outings and also carries a small penalty. The other three are handicappers upped in class but CAPELAND led home a decent field at long intervals at Ascot last month when Caid Du Lin was pulled up and is probably worth sticking with, though Bun Doran did run well under a big weight at Newbury.
Sceau Royal (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders on outside 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, never able to challenge, ridden and weakened after last, 6th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Duc Des Genievres (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Waited with towards rear, a little keen, closed from before 4 out, no extra from before 2 out where mistake, 8th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Min (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Bun Doran (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led before 4 out, clear 2 out until last, headed narrowly flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Magic Saint (11-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Made virtually all, pecked 4 out, clear 3 out until flat, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Master Work (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Capeland (FR) 7-2fav (10-13) Held up, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Diego Du Charmil (11-12) by 12l, 10 ran.
