tracked leader, led 3rd, came clear from 6th, very easily
held up towards rear, raced keenly and closer at 2nd, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd at 6th, no chance with very easy winner, weakened and lost 2nd before the last, lost further places run-in
held up just off the pace in 5th, outpaced after 5th, soon behind
held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, plugged on, never any chance
held up and behind, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, never any chance
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 5th, weakened before next
towards rear, behind and outpaced after 5th, tailed off
led until mistake and headed 3rd, chased winner until after 5th, chased leaders, weakened before next
held up in last trio, headway on inside before 6th, went 2nd before the last, never any chance with very easy winner
raced widest, chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, came wide in home straight, lost 2nd at 6th, weakened into 4th before next
NonRunner
Placed three times at Taunton this season, Le Ligerien is very consistent but has only won a maiden so far and has gone up in the weights. Fubar is less exposed but was no match for an easy winner at Taunton in November, though makes his handicap debut. Present From Dubai was raised 8lb for winning on heavy ground at Uttoxeter while Who Shot Jr’s victory at Taunton is looking a flash in the pan. GENERATION GAP travelled strongly for a long way last time at Wetherby. He looks to be on an upward curve and should go close in a race like this with the four-year-old Mr Chua also worth a market check.
Le Ligerien (FR) 13-2 (10-13) Led, went clear after 3rd, reduced lead 4 out, pushed along before hit 2 out, joined and awkward last, hard ridden run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Annsam (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Present From Dubai (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, led next, clear last, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Sastruga (10-13) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Who Shot Jr (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakening when blundered 3 out, 8th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Republican (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Generation Gap (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside when hit 6th, 2nd going well enough before 3 out, found nil and weakened into 3rd next, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Thomas Macdonagh (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
King D'Argent (FR) 14-1 (12-5) Held up towards rear, beaten 3 out, 8th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Hometown Boy (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Fukuto (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in touch, struggling and hanging badly right from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Flinck (11-7) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Alcock And Brown (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, behind 7th, pulled up after 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Fubar (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Prominent, winner clear from 5th, well held after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 19l behind Eritage (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Fibonacci 14-1 (11-4) Pulled very hard, settled towards rear 2nd, jumped big and hampered next, some headway and hung left before 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 22 3/4l behind Methag (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Chua (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Soon led, niggled along 4f out, headed over 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Raining Fire (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Shut The Box (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 3 out, 10th of 15, 26 3/4l behind Scaramanga (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
