led until 2nd, chased leader until approaching 6th, chased leading pair until 8th, chased leaders, weakened on long run before 3 out
held up in rear, steady headway into 3rd before before 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
chased leader, led 2nd, went left 5th, pecked and headed 7th, chased leader until well before 3 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, 3rd before 9th, 2nd on long run before 3 out, led after 3 out, hit next, came clear from last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 6th, led next until after 3 out, lost 2nd before the last, held in 3rd, went left last, dropped to 4th near finish
chased leading pair, jumped slowly 5th, soon lost place, no chance when went badly right 8th, tailed off approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
last pair, pushed along after 4th, 4th from 8th, pushed along on long run before 3 out, soon outpaced, went modest 3rd near finish
Most of these have seen better days and As De Fer, Rocky Bender and Carloswayback have the added disadvantage of returning from a break. Si C'etait Vrai's recent completion record if off-putting but Cody Wyoming is not without a chance if in the mood and Musselburgh second Wings Of Smoke has won off higher marks in the past. A case can certainly be made for CAFÉ DE PARIS on the pick of his form in France and he'll probably handle conditions better than most – David Pipe's charge gets a tentative vote.
As De Fer (FR) 11-4fav (10-13) Led 1st until 5th, led 7th, headed after 4 out, no extra 3 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 14l behind Dont Do Mondays (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, in rear, headway when not fluent 11th, 3rd 2 out, 2nd last, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Seefood (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Prominent, when blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cody Wyoming 14-1 (10-0) Towards rear, mistake 11th, soon struggling, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase clear leaders after next, modest 4th from next, 4th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Astracad (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Cafe De Paris (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, in 4th, ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 15, 14l behind Court King (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Rocky Bender (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Never going in rear and tended to jump right, reminders after 9th, tailed off and pulled up after 12th, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in May.
Carloswayback (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) (tt) sn wl bhnd; late hdwy, 4th of 10, dist behind Zagmeister (12-0) at Whitfield 3m gd in Apr.
