left in lead 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent and headed 7th, led 10th, headed 12th, led 13th, headed narrowly towards finish, just prevailed on the nod post
chased leaders on outside, closed to go 2nd 13th, every chance 3 out, mistake 2 out, lost 2nd flat, no extra
led until mistake and rider lost iron briefly 1st, mistake 4th, led 7th, headed 10th, led 12th, headed 13th, about 1 1/2 lengths down when slithered badly on landing 3 out, unable to recover and pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, closed 13th, went 2nd flat, led narrowly towards finish, just denied on the nod post
Scipion is fitted with headgear having struggled at Sandown and is upped in trip along with NOT WHAT IT SEEMS. The latter made a promising debut over fences when a close-up third at Wetherby and can add to three previous wins over hurdles as he drops down in class. Hudson De Grugy has yet to get his act together over the larger obstacles and a visor is applied while Seigneur Des As has to race from 6lb out of the weights having had a wind operation since last in action.
Scipion (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) In touch in 5th, pushed along when pecked badly 12th, never on terms after, went remote 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 30l behind Certainly Red (11-11) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Hudson De Grugy (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Bad mistake and towards rear 2nd, in last pair when hit 5th and 8th, rallied chasing leaders 10th, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, dist behind Balco Coastal (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Not What It Seems (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Close up, led bypassing open ditch (usual third omitted), hard press 4 out, pushed along approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, not pace of front two inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Grandads Cottage (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Seigneur Des As (FR) 8-1 (10-7) In rear, steady headway 4 out where not fluent, pushed along in 5th home turn, stayed on, never got on terms, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Love Actually (10-10) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
