chased leader until 4 out, went 2nd again after last, no impression on winner, stayed on
held up in rear, blundered badly 3rd, jumped left 6th and 7th, ridden after 9th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression when jumped left and mistake last
led, headed when mistake last, one pace, lost 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, went 2nd 4 out, driven after 3 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on well
held up in 5th, ridden after 9th, headway last, switched left flat, went 3rd and stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 9th, no impression from 4 out, mistake 2 out
Ifandbutwhynot has a fine record and completed a double in the spring though at a lower level than this and he's 4lb higher. Truckers Highway has won twice around here and has scored on very heavy ground. More rain would aid his cause though he has a very stiff task at these weights. Vivaccio won this in 2014 when completing a double on the track. He was highly tried when last seen early last year and might just need this comeback. Colin's Brother won this last year from just 3lb lower but entered the race in winning form, unlike this time as he's run poorly in all subsequent starts. Nicolas Chauvin went up 9lb for winning at Wetherby in October and couldn't handle slightly better company at Doncaster. FESTIVE AFFAIR has a big weight and has been running moderately though in much better class. He's back on the same mark as when scoring in this grade at Uttoxeter and can get back to winning ways.
Festive Affair (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, left in 2nd place 2nd, hit 4th, lost 2nd 6th, chased leaders, weakened after 8th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Overtown Express (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Nicolas Chauvin (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd before 4 out until 3 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace approaching last, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 12l behind No Ceiling (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led, headed before 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, last of 3, 31l behind Movie Legend (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Colin's Brother 5-1 (11-5) Always behind, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Vivaccio (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 3rd until 4th, challenged 8th until before 4 out where mistake, well beaten 3 out, plugged on flat, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Pressurize (10-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) With leaders when badly hampered and nearly unseated 1st, tracked winner until ridden 4 out, soon lost ground, behind when jumped left 2 out, 3rd of 5, dist behind Uno Valoroso (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
