tracked leader, going best in 2nd over 3 out, closed to challenge before last, ran on well to lead flat and on top closing stages
mid-division, unseated rider 1st
led, pushed along under 4 out, ridden under 2 out, wandered and pressed before last, kept on until headed and outpaced by winner flat
chased leaders, headway under 4 out when slightly hampered by loose horse, ran on same pace from under 3 out
held up in last, closer before 8th, outpaced under 4 out, held under 3 out
held up in touch, dropped to last before 8th, pushed along after 9th, left behind after 13th, pulled up before 3 out
in touch and raced wide, jumped right, closer before 5th, pushed along before 10th, left behind under 4 out, pulled up over 3 out
Invincible Cave is the only course winner in this line-up but he arrives out of sorts. Colonel Keating was second twice here last season and also when last seen at Chepstow. He has a welter burden to shoulder on his belated reappearance but Tabitha Worsley’s claim should aid his cause. SILVER NICKEL ran well for a long way here 12 days ago and has been dropped 3lb since so looks the one to be on, though Istorius hails from a yard whose chasers can do little wrong at present.
Colonel Keating (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, closed 6th, lost place again before 8th but soon back in touch, mistake 2 out, went 2nd last, 1 1/2 lengths down flat, no impression when winner found more towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind No Rematch (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Silver Nickel (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, pushed along before 2 out (normal 3 out), lost 2nd soon after, weakened before the last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Don Herbager (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Invincible Cave (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until pushed along before 6th, chased leaders, weakened soon after 6th, tailed off in 6th when allowed to pull up approaching 2 out (normal 3 out), at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Doran's Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, pulled up, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Miss Malarky (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Chased leader, ridden and weakened tamely after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Larcadio (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Towards rear, ridden 5 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 24 1/2l behind Guguss Collonges (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Istorius (FR) 10-1 (10-1) Mid division on outside, jumped right throughout, headway behind leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on, 5th of 17, 12 3/4l behind Fairlawn Flyer (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
