close up, jumped to dispute lead 1st, led next, joined for lead approaching 4 out, driven along approaching last where good jump to lead outright, ran on well, cosily
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, plugged on
led, joined for lead 1st, headed 2nd, hit 5th, joined leader approaching 4 out, pushed along after next, outjumped last where headed, ran on, not reach leader
jumped left in rear, not fluent 2nd, bad mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened
NonRunner
GARDE DES CHAMPS faced a tougher task at Wetherby on his chasing debut and was found to have bled from the nose after finishing third. He gets another chance in this being preferred to stablemate Mint Gold, a course and distance winner but having his first outing since 2021. Restandbethankful remains 8lb higher than when successful at Sedgefield in October, with a disappointing Blueberry Wine finishing well behind, while Neigh Botha has only won a bumper so far.
Mint Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Midfield, dropped towards rear when pushed after 8th, keeping on when ridden after 3 out, stayed on well at the finish, 4th of 12, 11l behind Pookie Pekan (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Blueberry Wine (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, went 3rd at 9th, lost remote 3rd 2 out and soon well beaten, 5th of 8, 29 3/4l behind Restandbethankful (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Restandbethankful 7-1 (10-2) Traced leaders out wide, stumbled badly 1st, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 14 1/4l behind Cracking Destiny (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Neigh Botha (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Led, ridden 3 lengths clear 2 out, tiring when edged left approaching next and headed, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 8 3/4l behind Fazayte (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Garde Des Champs (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Soon handy on outside, lost place before 8th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Homme Public (12-0) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
