made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
prominent, lost place 9th, ridden after 3 out, made no impression
raced keenly, held up in touch, not fluent 8th, headway to chase leaders next, went second 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, hit 7th, mistake next, ridden 3 out, weakened next, well held when mistake last
held up in touch, dropped to last 9th, struggling 3 out, pulled up before next
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace from 2 out
After a series of near-misses, Complete Unknown finally came good in a valuable Grade 3 handicap at Sandown, winning with a bit to spare. But MAHLER MISSION may just have his measure as John McConnell’s gelding won a Grade 2 at Doncaster prior to taking his chance in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, in which he was far from disgraced. Del La Mar Rocket looks up against it at this level but Galia Des Liteaux has scope and a mares’ allowance and is closely matched with Complete Unknown on Ascot running. Famous Bridge is on the upgrade but The Goffer will need to jump better than in the Martin Pipe, though did land a Grade 3 at Thurles earlier.
Mahler Mission (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Midfield, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace from before last, 7th of 16, 22 1/2l behind The Nice Guy (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
The Goffer (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, hampered 4th, not fluent 6th, well beaten after 2 out, 15th of 23, 24 1/4l behind Banbridge (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Complete Unknown (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders out wide, led after 2 out, 3 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar beating Marble Sands (10-10) by 3l, 17 ran.
Del La Mar Rocket (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Jumped right and not always fluent, led until 5th, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 4 3/4l behind New Found Fame (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Famous Bridge (IRE) 15-8fav (10-3) Held up in mid-division, closer at 5th, smooth headway tracking leaders 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Kaizer (10-0) by 5l, 10 ran.
Galia Des Liteaux (FR) 13-8fav (11-1) Led, strongly pressed 2 out, wandered between last two, headed and hampered soon after, kept on pressing for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Jerrash (11-2) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) sft in Jan.
