raced keenly, never fluent, soon steadied rear, hampered 2 out, left remote 4th at the last, never on terms
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, headway out wide before next where left modest 3rd, no chance with winner
led, went right 2nd, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, 4th and weakening when fell heavily last
chased leader, awkward and pushed along 4 out, hit next, hung left and lost 2nd before next, weakened soon after 2 out
held up in last trio, steady headway out wide 3 out, every chance when fell 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, switched right before 2 out, soon led, left in clear lead 2 out, stayed on strongly
raced keenly, held up in last trio, awkward 2nd, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, left well held 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
Lossiemouth has made giant strides this season and won a Grade 2 by 14 lengths at Sandown last month. That is the best form on offer but there are others with more scope in this including the Fairyhouse maiden winner Gringo D'aubrelle and STAGE STAR. Paul Nicholls is looking to win this for the fourth time and his charge has won both hurdle starts so far without coming off the bridle. Easy Warwick winner West Balboa has a mares allowance in her favour but Party Business was a surprise winner at Ascot while High Stakes was a beaten favourite at Ayr and Go Dante failed to land the odds in a three-runner race last time.
Go Dante 2-7fav (11-5) Not jump well, tracked winner, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and switched right approaching 2 out, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 3, 2 1/2l behind Tweed Skirt (10-7) at Ascot 2m (2) gd in Nov.
Gringo D'aubrelle (FR) Evensfav (12-0) Disputed lead early, led from 2nd, ridden and strongly pressed when joined approaching 2 out, rallied to regain narrow lead inside final furlongs, stayed on well close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn gd in Nov beating Adamantly Chosen (12-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
High Stakes (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Not fluent at times, led, ridden when awkward last, ridden and headed final strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind Famous Bridge (10-12) at Ayr 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Lossiemouth 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, led before bad mistake next, soon recovered and ridden clear, very easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec beating Viva Lavilla (11-0) by 14l, 5 ran.
Party Business (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Raced keenly in last pair, good headway before 4 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd going well before 2 out, led and good jump last, quickened readily clear run-in, won at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) gs in Dec beating City Chief (11-4) by 3l, 7 ran.
Stage Star (IRE) 2-7fav (11-4) Made all, mistake 2 out, well in command last, drew further clear, easily, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov beating Unanswered Prayers (11-4) by 7 1/2l, 5 ran.
West Balboa (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Close up, chased leader soon after 3 out, led 2 out, clear next, comfortable, won at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Queens River (10-12) by 17l, 5 ran.
