chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led after 4 out, clear when mistake 2 out, went right last, ridden out
led, headed after 4 out, no impression on winner from 3 out, edged right flat, stayed on
held up in last pair, mistake 5th, pushed along approaching 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, no impression
held up in last pair, took keen hold, mistake 5th, effort when hampered 3 out, no impression after, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, hampered 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader until before 8th, went 3 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out
A cracking renewal of a staying handicap won last year by Muthabir, who ran a fine race on his reappearance at Kempton and is only 3lb higher than 12 months ago. CARROLLS MILAN is also a course and distance winner and she only weakened approaching the last on her return to action at Cheltenham when she finished ahead of the race-fit Shambra. Back up in trip, she may take all the beating today. Dolphin Square was given plenty to do on his handicap debut at Newbury but may be better over distances short of 3m. Dundrum Wood is upped in trip but has won over the distance between the flags and Bhutan was unlucky at Catterick after winning here over 2m5f. Treasure Dillon has his stamina to prove, however.
Dolphin Square (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside before 3 out, kept on run-in, never reached leaders, 4th of 18, 3 3/4l behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Carrolls Milan (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent until before 2nd, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, outpaced and beaten from next, 8th of 16, 17 3/4l behind Dame De Compagnie (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Bhutan (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, chased winner before not fluent 2 out, challenged last, rider soon dropped whip, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Reve (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Shambra (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Slowly away, held up in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 20 1/4l behind Dame De Compagnie (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Muthabir (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and stayed on same pace from last, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Fontley House (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Treasure Dillon (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Pressed leader on outside, led narrowly 5th, blundered 2 out, soon headed and lost place, no impression before last, 7th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Jatiluwih (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Dundrum Wood (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Made most, reminders after 3 out, driven and 6 lengths advantage when left clear next, in no danger after, pushed out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov beating Levasseur (10-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
