prominent, led briefly 9th, led again 4 out, clear 2 out, easily
prominent until after 3rd, chased leaders, not fluent 4th, switched left and landed very awkwardly 4 out, plugged on, no impression on winner
not fluent and always behind, closed on 4th flat
made most until 4 out, bad mistake 3 out, well held by winner next
led into start, always 4th, not fluent 3rd, reached at 6th, outpaced when mistake 13th, weakened before 4 out
Chambard has only found one too good in three races to date over fences but isn’t getting much help from the handicapper and this is another competitive affair. Truckin Away may not be suited by a drop in distance given he’s been staying on over 3m while Coole Well probably need to improve his jumping. Golden Whisky was out of his comfort zone last time at Ascot and this is also a tough assignment. Auteuil winner RED RISK is only five and will be all the better for his UK debut at Hereford over an inadequate trip so is worth another chance.
Red Risk (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd and well held when pecked last, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Dame du Soir (10-5) at Hereford 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Truckin Away (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Held up in touch, headway on inside chasing leaders 12th, pushed along in 3rd after 4 out, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 10, 7 1/4l behind Cap St Vincent (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Chambard (FR) 9-4jfav (11-9) Tracked leaders, slow 1st, soon in rear, headway 5 out, outpaced next, stayed on into 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Joke Dancer (11-10) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Golden Whisky (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, behind and struggling after 8th, jumped slowly next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Coole Well (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leader from 2nd, mistake 4th, lost 2nd 5th, mistake 3 out, 5th and weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.