chased leaders, lost place 4th, behind 7th, pulled up before 4 out
led, not fluent 1st or 4th, clear 6th until after 8th, fell 5 out
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, went close up 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden out
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, mistake next, no impression, well beaten 5 out
jumped right at times, rear of mid-division, blundered 4th, headway before 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, no impression on front pair
towards rear, ridden briefly 7th, mistake 5 out, no impression, tailed off
chased leader, not fluent 6th, left in lead 5 out, headed before 4 out, 4th and weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, left 2nd 5 out, led before next, jumped left and mistake 3 out, soon headed, held flat, stayed on
KING D’ARGENT became disappointing over hurdles but he won on his chasing bow at Warwick with the proverbial ton in hand, though has gone up 11lb. Funambule Sivola easily beat Exelerator Express at Wetherby but never looked like following up under a penalty at Sandown. The return to 2m may suit but he’s gone up another 5lb since. Finnegan's Garden, like Doitforthevillage, isn’t getting any younger but is starting to slip down the weights again, though doesn’t have the scope of Fontwell winner Bridle Loanan or the even less-exposed Southwell runner-up Shanacoole Prince.
Shanacoole Prince (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, pushed along to dispute lead 6th, led over 3 out, ridden for effort but headed towards last, kept on flat but not match winner, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Glajou (11-2) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
King D'Argent (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Made all, jumped right 1st and 2nd, clear 4th until after 5th, clear before 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Belargus (12-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
Funambule Sivola (FR) 7-2fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, modest 4th when slightly hampered next, weakened into 5th and blundered badly last, 5th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Alnadam (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Exelerator Express (FR) 11-8fav (11-11) Close-up, midfield jumping 5th, 3rd and pushed before 4 out, contested lead 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd after 2 out, stayed on behind comfortable winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Funambule Sivola (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bridle Loanan (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield 8th, close up 10th, led after 4 out, ridden clear 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Ellens Way (11-10) by 17l, 8 ran.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 5th, went 3rd briefly and pushed along before 4 out, 3rd again next, stayed on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 7, 17 1/2l behind Sao (11-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Shut The Box (IRE) 3-1 (10-9) Raced in touch, joined leader 12th, ridden for effort before 3 out, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 4, 28l behind Evander (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
