held up in rear, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up towards rear but in touch, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, stayed on under pressure to get 3rd close home
in touch, lost place 3 out
made all, hard driven after 3 out, not fluent last, strongly challenged after last, stayed on gamely
tracked leader, effort 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in touch, not fluent 3rd, effort 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner approaching last, every chance run in, no extra towards finish
Argocat is better known as a chaser and has his first run for a new yard following a break. The Pipe stable won this last year and Gevrey Chambertin likes it here, though Tom Scudamore prefers Batavir who looks better treated. Doncaster specialist Zeroeshadesofgrey is back in form and should handle this similar track but Keltus hasn't won since 2013 and has gone up in the weights again since his third at Kempton. SYKES was third over course and distance in November and wasn't beaten far off this mark at Chepstow last time. Reunited with Richard Johnson, Philip Hobbs' charge can pick up the winning thread again as Millanisi Boy has been beaten off lower marks in previous starts in handicaps.
Gevrey Chambertin (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, ridden after 7th, lost place before 3 out, well held after, last of 9, 15 1/2l behind Awaywiththegreys (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, 6th or 7th, ridden after 3 out, led before last, soon edged right, held on, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Top Billing (11-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Keltus (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, effort last, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Baron Alco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Argocat (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Soon chased leaders, a little keen, 4th from 4th, mistake 7th, close up 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching straight, soon led, headed 2 out where mistake, 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in, tight for room closing stages,, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Make A Track (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 6f gd in Jun.
Count Guido Deiro (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place and towards rear 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 15th, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Batavir (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon behind, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Millanisi Boy 9-4jfav (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, led last, edged right flat, stayed on, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Never Equalled (11-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Sykes (IRE) 6-4fav (10-6) Held up, not much room 2nd, in touch when bumped 5th, went 2nd 2 out until flat, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Awaywiththegreys (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
