ERICHT could round off a successful afternoon for the Nicky Henderson yard as he made his rivals look very one-paced when coasting to victory at Huntingdon last time. He can reverse Ascot running with Twentyfourcarat, who rather stole the race that day under a positive ride from Timmy Murphy - it's unlikely the partnership will be given as much rope here. Persian Snow looked good when beating subsequent C&D winner Balding Banker at Ascot in October and is open to further improvement, but Bygones In Brid and Peckhamecho have more to do than when scoring on debut and Leopardstown winner Star Neuville is more exposed than most.
Balding Banker (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over halfway, led 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov beating Gospel Preacher (11-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Bygones In Brid (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn nat hunt flat (5) gd in Nov beating D'Gigi (11-1) by 8l, 12 ran.
Divine Folly (IRE) 2-1 (10-13) Led 3f remained prominent, led again over 7f out, clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan beating Bathwick Brave (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ericht (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Held up in touch, closed 5f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in Jan beating Majorica King (11-5) by 7l, 15 ran.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Made all, set steady pace until 6f out, driven along over 2f out, hung left under pressere well inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov beating Harry Le Fise Lake (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Persian Snow (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct beating Balding Banker (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Special Vintage Grape Tree Road gelding out of Special Beat.
Star Neuville (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, led 6f out, ridden clear early straight, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m NH flat in Dec beating Champagne Agent (11-11) by 4l, 11 ran.
Sunny Ledgend 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader, narrow lead halfway, headed 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 12l behind All That Remains (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
Twentyfourcarat (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Given at least 15 lengths advantage start, reduced lead over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on as rivals closed inside final furlong, all out close home but unchallenged, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov beating Ericht (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Vin Verdi Grape Tree Road gelding out of The Lady Scores.
