led, headed 3rd, led after next, headed 6th, soon led again, headed 4 out, outpaced next, weakened before 2 out
held up, pulled very hard, 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon headed, 3rd and no extra last
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed after next, led briefly 6th, led again 4 out, headed before 2 out, soon led again, headed approaching last, rallied to lead post
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, 3rd after 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, led before not fluent last, headed post
WELSH BARD made all in a small field over an even longer trip last time at Sedgefield. Tough raised 5lb for that, he has won off higher marks in the past so should complete a quick double for his in-form yard. Gamain should have benefited from a recent run here but is better over fences so the maiden Chantecler may be the one for forecast-backers as he’s been knocking on the door since upped in distance. Kalmbeforethestorm isn’t badly treated but is returning from an 18-month absence on going that will be much softer than ideal.
Welsh Bard (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Made all, ridden before 2 out, 4 lengths up when left clear last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Tawseef (11-8) by 7l, 4 ran.
Chantecler 5-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on to press winner flat, always just held, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Plantagenet (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Gamain (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Premier Rose (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Kalmbeforethestorm 10-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, never reached leaders, lost modest 4th approaching last, 5th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Valhalla (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
