keen early, in rear, pushed along after 5th, slow 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
held up, niggled along before 6th, headway after 4 out, one pace and no impression 3 out
pressed leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden and one pace 3 out
led until before 3rd, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, edged right after 2 out, led again before last, stayed on gamely
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 3rd, headed 7th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway after 4 out, one pace and no impression 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
DUKE'S AFFAIR has won three out of four this season and heavy going proved no problem last time at Wincanton. He's gone up another 8lb but may be capable of defying the extra with Minellacelebration carrying a penalty for a win in a lesser grade at Exeter. Fred Le Macon just can't get his head in front and will probably find a couple too good again while Mr Bachster has been chasing. Bar A Mine has ability but doesn't often show it.
The Lion Man (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In rear, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Fred Le Macon (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Midfield, headway 4 out, every chance after next, blundered 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 17 3/4l behind Solstice Star (10-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Bar A Mine (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent until 3rd, not fluent and lost place 5th, ridden along after, closed 8th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Giveitachance (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Made all, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Anda De Grissay (12-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Duke's Affair 11-2 (11-5) Raced wide, chased leaders, led 3 out, joined and hit last, pressed run-in, found extra towards finish, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Very Intense (11-8) by 1l, 11 ran.
Mr Bachster (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) In touch, lost place 8th, in rear when unseated rider 5 out, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Pandy Wells 15-2 (10-5) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon in 5th and one pace, 5th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Oscar Jane (10-3) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
