off the pace and always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
raced on inside, led until before 4th, chased clear leader, closer home turn, led before 3 out, soon in command, switched right to outside run-in, very easily
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along home turn, plugged on in modest 3rd from 2 out
raced on inside, behind most of way, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly chasing leaders on inside, weakened turning in, pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly out wide in mid-division, weakened turning in, tailed off
raced keenly out wide, tracked leader until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
always behind, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
off the pace towards rear, headway after 4 out, plugged on in modest 4th
raced wide and always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
raced widest, tracked leader 3rd, led and went clear when hit next, reduced lead turning in, headed and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before the last
mid-division, headway on inside after 4 out, ridden and stayed on into 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out, never any chance with easy winner
NonRunner
NonRunner
A bigger field than usual for this Grade 1. Fergal O’Brien has a trio of contenders in Accidental Rebel, Marble Sands and the unbeaten Crambo but Paul Nicholls is seeking a third straight victory in this and HERMES ALLEN has been aimed at the race since landing a Stratford maiden on his debut under Rules. He won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham subsequently with the proverbial ton in hand. Irish raider Joyeux Machin was impressive at Fairyhouse and Thomas Mor is 2-2 under Rules. Attacca has won both starts over hurdles and should have more to offer while the mare Vicki Vale could be anything. Idalko Bihoue won as he liked at Worcester in October but this is a big step up in class.
Crambo 3-1fav (11-4) Soon held up in rear, switched left and headway after 3 out, switched left before 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well, readily, won at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov beating Hands Off (11-3) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hermes Allen (FR) 9-4 (11-2) Made all and dictated own pace, quickened before 3 out, hit next, came clear before the last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov beating Music Drive (11-2) by 9l, 7 ran.
Idalko Bihoue (FR) 7-2 (11-2) Handy, led home turn, shaken up and drew clear before last, coasted home, impressive, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Hardy Fella (11-4) by 14l, 12 ran.
Joyeux Machin (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, headway entering straight, went 2nd and ridden 2 out, improved to lead after last, stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating Viva Devito (11-12) by 5l, 18 ran.
Kansas City Star (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led, jumped slightly right at times, headed after 5th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 18, 13l behind Joyeux Machin (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Kilbeg King (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Led 1st, tracked leaders, led and jumped slightly right 2 out and last, ridden and ran on, comfortable, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Howaya Now (11-3) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Marble Sands (FR) 4-11fav (11-6) Mostly hurdled neatly, made all and kept wide, mistake 2 out, soon clear, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Leicester 2m 4f (3) gs in Nov beating Storminhome (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 4 ran.
Moka De Vassy (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway out wide chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened turning in, 5th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Knight Salute (11-3) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Passing Well (FR) 7-2 (11-4) With leader, led before 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Issuing Authority (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Thomas Mor (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Chased leader, not fluent 4th, led home turn and soon clear, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Twin Power (11-0) by dist, 5 ran.
Vicki Vale (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Made virtually all, increased tempo from 3 out, well clear last, very easily, won at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Houi Cherie (11-2) by 17l, 16 ran.
You Wear It Well 2-7fav (10-13) Made all, extended lead 4 out, easily, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Rathgearan (11-0) by 22l, 10 ran.
Accidental Rebel 10-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th on inside, went 3rd before 4th, edged left from before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, strong challenge run-in, stayed on best to lead final 110 yards, won going away, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Outlaw Peter (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Attacca (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Made all, ridden and pressed last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec beating Master Chewy (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
