raced in 3rd, not fluent 2nd, came wide in home straight, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, no chance with winner
tracked (clear) leader, hit 9th, awkward next, closer 4 out, led next, soon clear, went right last, stayed on strongly
led at strong pace and soon clear, came back to the field 4 out, headed and weakened into 3rd next
NonRunner
Le Patriote has won eight times and ran much better than his finishing position suggests in one of these races at Aintree last month, his first start since February last year. Gortroe Joe won a Kempton handicap a year ago and returned there with a very good run last month though MAGIC DANCER appears to have a new lease of life. Kerry Lee's charge easily won a Ludlow handicap back in April and returned to action with a comfortable success in one of these races at Cheltenham earlier this month and is only 3lb higher.
Le Patriote (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, headway when hampered bend before 4 out, disputing 2nd 2 out, weakened before blunder last, 8th of 11, 33 1/4l behind Dingo Dollar (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden to go 2nd home turn, could not go pace of leader from 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Mercian Prince (11-8) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Al Roc (FR) 66-1 (10-8) Disputed lead, ridden along and lost position 10th (usual 11th), pulled up 14th (usual 15th), at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Magic Dancer 7-2 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, outpaced 11th, rallied approaching 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Broken Quest (11-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
