led, joined 3rd, led again soon after 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace
close up in rear, tracked leaders 4th, effort when hit next, kept on same pace
prominent, joined leader 3rd, until soon after 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened tamely next
tracked leaders, dropped to at 4th, headway 3 out, led last, shaken up flat, ran on, comfortable
NonRunner
TOOTHLESS still comes out best at the weights despite a penalty for winning easily at Fakenham on his debut for Paul Nicholls’ yard. A half-brother to the smart Sceau Royal, he can take this step up in class in his stride. Carcaci Castle defied a penalty at Kelso when beating a subsequent winner and is preferred to General Officer, who failed in a bid for a hat-trick when runner-up at Catterick. Better is expected from Lihyan on his second outing for a new yard while Dancila debuts in this code having won three times on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger.
General Officer (IRE) 13-8 (11-12) Led, ridden 2 out, pressed approaching next, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Cerendipity (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Lihyan (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 7th of 16, dist behind Hidden Beauty (10-8) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Toothless (FR) 5-4fav (11-8) Handy, led 4 out, bounded clear from 3 out, impressive, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Boleyn Boy (11-8) by 35l, 9 ran.
Dancila (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, checked 1 1/2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 7 3/4l behind Zoffman (8-7) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Carcaci Castle (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, hit last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Traprain Law (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
