made most until narrowly headed 14th, chased leader, led again 17th, stayed on gamely from last, driven out
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd before 7th until 10th, chased leaders, lost place 13th, soon struggling, behind next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
never better than mid-division, weakened 15th
mistakes, towards rear, blundered 5th and 12th, steady headway approaching 17th, modest 5th last
chased leaders, mistake 4th, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next
in touch, headway chasing leaders 11th (water), 2nd 4 out, ridden and kept on gamely run-in, held
always towards rear, blundered 15th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear of mid-division, lost touch 16th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, steady headway chasing leaders 13th, 3rd 3 out, hung left before 2 out, disputing close 2nd soon after, no extra in 3rd final 125 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 14th until blundered and headed 17th, chased winner until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened next
chased winner until before 7th, mistake 8th, soon lost place, driven and struggling before 10th, behind next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up last, steady headway approaching 17th, well held in 4th when mistake 2 out,
There was formerly prestige attached to this handicap but it’s lost a little of its sparkle down the years. This year’s renewal is competitive, however, with recent winners Royal Palladium, I Am Colin and Yanmare all short-list material. The latter looks a dour stayer, though steps up in class again. Potters Cross found only one too good at Chepstow earlier this month and Ben Pauling, who trained last year’s winner, will be hoping for a good run from Cheltenham second Treaty Girl. Charlie Longsdon, who had the 2011 and 2012 winners, saddles Bob Tucker, who has won around here and didn’t appear to get home over 3m5f at Sandown last time when Conas Taoi was just behind. Financial Climate won in 2013 and is back for more but stablemate BLAMEITONMYROOTS is more interesting. He would have finished closer at Ascot last month but for missing out the last and should again beat sixth Horatio Hornblower.
Potters Cross 13-2 (10-8) Led, clear 4 out, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Lamb Or Cod (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Royal Palladium (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Made most, ridden from 2 out, held on well towards finish, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Castarnie (10-6) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Willoughby Hedge 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, struggling 11th, ridden and weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bob Tucker (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, steady headway after 4 out, chased leaders travelling well enough before 3 out, pushed along disputing close 3rd 2 out, ridden between last 2, no extra in 4th run-in, 4th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Rocky Creek (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Not fluent at times, behind, outpaced 5 out, some last headway 2 out, never involved, tailed off, 6th of 14, 36l behind Lamb Or Cod (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Treaty Girl (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Still Believing (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
I Am Colin 11-2 (11-5) In touch, pushed along 3 out, headway to lead 2 out, ridden out, won at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Derrintogher Bliss (11-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Blameitalonmyroots (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders, 15th, 2nd next, no chance with winner last, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 7 3/4l behind Minella Daddy (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Conas Taoi (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) In touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders when mistake 19th, driven in 5th between last 2, hung left and kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Rocky Creek (11-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Financial Climate (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Towards rear, mistake and hampered 1st, blundered 8th, well beaten 4 out, 11th of 22, dist behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-9) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Arbeo (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, blundered 17th, ridden and plugged on run-in, never a threat, 6th of 9, 22 3/4l behind More Buck's (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Yanmare (IRE) 11-8fav (10-4) Not always fluent in rear and mostly wide, blundered 12th, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, clear towards finish, won at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Sunny Ledgend (11-8) by 5l, 9 ran.
