held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden and beaten next
chased leader to well before 2 out, well there until weakened before last
held up in touch, headway 6th, chased leader well before 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out
took keen hold, raced wide, held up in touch, headway under pressure after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened soon after
led, hit 3rd, driven and headed 2 out, weakened quickly and blundered last
held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, headway on inside and driven to challenge 2 out, chased leaders soon after, led last, hard driven run in to hold on near finish
tracked leaders, led and mistake 2 out, driven and headed last, tried to rally near finish but always held
chased leaders until weakened 5th and soon behind
held up in last pair, hit 5th, ridden and struggling after 3 out
Dom d'Orgeval was good value for his course and distance success three weeks ago but the handicapper has taken no chances in raising him 9lbs since then and a chance is taken with Dusky Warbler, who is preferred to Nathos. The last mentioned is closely matched with Dom d'Orgeval on running here and has run well behind Desert Air in the Lanzarote since so has to be respected stepping back up in distance. Blushing Bull should not mind the underfoot conditions but may be a shade high in the weights at present, while Dancing Bay is on a long losing sequence and is another that could do with some help from the handicapper. Victom's Chance is entitled to need the run on his reappearance, while Turtle Soup has ground conditions to suit but is probably too high in the weights. The vote then goes to Dusky Warbler, who was a thorough stayer on the level and should appreciate today's longer trip. Provided that he strips fitter for his recent return, Gary Moore's gelding would look to have solid claims.
Dancing Bay 15-2 (11-4) Held up, headway 7th, ridden after 2 out, no impression on leading pair approaching last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind The French Furze (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs.
Turtle Soup (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, hit 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 8l behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Sh Boom 18-1 (11-9) Led after 1st until after 4th, led again 6th until approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 28l behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Nathos (GER) 25-1 (9-13) Held up well in rear, stayed on from 2 out, chased winner last, kept on strongly flat, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Dusky Warbler 5-1 (11-8) Took keen hold in rear, effort on outside after 5th, weakened 3 out, last of 10, 33l behind Manorson (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (A) gd in Nov.
Dom d'Orgeval (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Behind, mistake 4th, headway and hit 3 out, led approaching next, driven clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (B) sft in Dec beating Nathos (11-2) by 5l, 12 ran.
Fenix (GER) 14-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, chased winner 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 20, 7l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft.
Blushing Bull 6-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort after next, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Trisons Star (11-4) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (B) sft in Apr.
Victom's Chance (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) In rear when brought down at the 2nd in race won by Bowleaze (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr, 13 ran.
