took keen hold early, tracked leader until ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, edged left and weakened 3f out
held up in mid-division, lost place 11f out, well beaten over 3f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, well beaten over 3f out
held up in mid-division, shaken up to improve over 3f out, ridden and hung left from 2f out, challenged 1f out, driven to lead close home
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
held up, switched left and headway 3f out, edged right and led just over 1f out, hard pressed thereafter, edged right well inside final furlong, headed close home
tracked leaders, shaken up 4f out, outpaced by leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden 3f out, headed just over 1f out, close 3rd when hampered well inside final furlong, no extra
in touch in mid-division, improved from 4f out, switched left over 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well final 100 yards
VILLAGE VIC has already won a point-to-point but he has a lot of speed in his pedigree and showed a fine turn of foot to score by 14 lengths on his debut under Rules at Chepstow. He can take the step up in his stride and land this though Vrai Vert was impressive at Hereford in December and Gevrey Chambertin, a full brother to the top-class Grands Crus, bolted up on his racecourse debut at Ffos Las and has plenty of scope for further improvement. Shutthefrontdoor also looks a nice prospect after comfortable victories at Ffos Las and Ascot but Hold Court faces his stiffest task to date. Coneygree and Decimus may find this company too hot but Chancery was second in a similar contest at Cheltenham and shouldn't be ignored.
Coneygree 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Dannanceys Hill (11-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Decimus (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6f out, switched left over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf in Nov beating Opening Batsman (11-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hold Court (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, came well clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Ludlow 2m cond NH flat (5) gs in Jan beating Looking Hopeful (11-1) by 15l, 9 ran.
Piano Concerto (USA) 50-1 (11-4) Raced alone on inside, steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, headway and squeezed through on inside bend 4f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Shutthefrontdoor (11-1) at Ascot 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Dec.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Ascot 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Dec beating Claret Cloak (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out, 5th of 12, 3l behind Shutthefrontdoor (11-1) at Ascot 2m NH flat Listed (1) sft in Dec.
Village Vic (IRE) 5-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 7f out, challenged over 3f out, soon led, clear final furlong, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Noble Perk (11-0) by 14l, 6 ran.
Vrai Vert (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leadrs, went 2nd over 5f out, led inside final 4f, came clear final 2f, easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec beating Ace Fighter Pilot (11-11) by 10l, 12 ran.
Chancery (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway and slightly hampered over 6f out, going well over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon went 2nd, stayed on, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind The New One (11-2) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) gs in Jan.
Digger's Mate General Gambul gelding out of Miss Diskin.
Gevrey Chambertin (FR) 6-5fav (10-7) With leader, led halfway, clear over 3f out, eased last 100 yards, very easily, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Ubique (11-6) by 30l, 6 ran.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Countess Camilla.
