tracked leader, led after 3rd, made rest, clear from 2 out, easily
raced wide, led until after 3rd, chased winner until before 2 out, no impression in 3rd when mistake 2 out
off the pace in mid-division, mistake 5th, soon struggling, weakened 4 out, tailed off, pulled up last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression
in touch, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, soon outpaced, went modest 4th approaching 2 out, plugged on run-in
held up, pushed along in 6th after 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
towards rear, reminder before 4th, tailed off, pulled up last
last pair, tailed off 4 out, pulled up last
tracked leading trio, pushed along and outpaced when hit 3 out, weakened before next, poor 5th when pulled up before the last
tailed off when blundered 6th, always behind, pulled up at the last
CHARMIX couldn't quite match the finishing speed of the much-hyped Modus here last month but that was still a decent effort and the pair were clear of the remainder. He may face more of a battle for the lead today but still looks the one to beat. Emerging Force and Political Quiz also carry penalties and need to improve again but Big Chief Benny can only improve on his third here to Buveur D'Air and rates a danger. Rude And Crude also has ability but Nordical is likely to fare better in handicaps.
Charmix (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Led, pushed along after 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish, stayed on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Modus (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Emerging Force (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Made all, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Hit The Highway (11-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Political Quiz 8-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, effort 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 13, dist behind Yanworth (11-5) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Acajou Des Bieffes (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Veered left and unseated rider 1st, at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Big Chief Benny (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd when blundered 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Buveur D'air (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Cottstown Fox (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 24 3/4l behind Mister Miyagi (11-5) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Max The Minister 25-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along and one pace in 5th after 3 out, no impression on leading quartet, hit last, 5th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Krugermac (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Never Learn (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms, 7th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Baby Bach (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Nordical (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, stayed on after last, never on terms, 4th of 6, 25l behind Agenor (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Rude And Crude (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, chased winner after 4th, led approaching 3 out, looked going well on long run before 2 out, headed before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Boru's Brook (11-8) at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Spoilt Rotten 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m (3) sft in Oct.
