tracked leaders, niggled along when not fluent 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear on inside, took keen hold, some headway approaching 2 out, no impression, soon weakened
led until 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
always in rear, well behind 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, clear flat, eased towards finish
tracked leader, every chance before 2 out, 4th and weakening last
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 3 out, not much room 2 out, plugged on flat, went modest 4th towards finish
chased leaders, pecked 2nd, ridden before 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out
HIGH EXPECTATIONS was still going well when unseating at Cheltenham last month. Richard Johnson takes over the reins for this and Gordon Elliott’s charge gets the vote. Capitoul has similar form in that he was in the lead when falling a couple of hurdles from home at Lingfield last week while Delface has his first start since scoring at Ffios Las in May and makes his handicap debut. General Ginger and Prussian Eagle have a shout off their current marks if back to their best but Pokora Du Lys needs to improve on last year’s form to figure.
General Ginger 7-2jfav (11-12) Keen, held up towards rear, not fluent 1st and 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 8 1/2l behind On Demand (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Capitoul (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, soon led, going strongly when fell heavily 2 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Delface (FR) 6-4fav (11-3) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) gs in May beating Captain George (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Quids In (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon every chance, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Peruvien Bleu (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Pokora Du Lys (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Prominent, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 13, 16 1/2l behind Eamon An Cnoic (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
High Expectations (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Prussian Eagle (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) In touch in rear, ridden and outpaced when switched left over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 5, 20l behind Bazooka (9-2) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Sep.
Sneaking Budge 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Today Please (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, 32 1/2l behind Nicolas Chauvin (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
