held up, headway and in touch 6th, weakened under pressure 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened soon after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
chased leaders, blundered 6th, weakened well before 3 out
held up, in touch, headway 9th, chased leading pair from 3 out, ridden, pecked 2 out, soon no impression
behind, ridden 7th, soon struggling
raced wide, led, not fluent and headed 3 out, weakened soon after, mistake next
in touch, headway to track leader 6th, led 3 out, in command last, pushed clear flat
held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before last
in touch, ridden and struggling after 8th, tailed off
What A Vintage can complete a hat-trick at the expense of New Mischief, Zipalong Lad and Edgar Wilde to name but three. Having won a bumper at Uttoxeter in November, What A Vintage duly opened her account over today's course and distance next time, cruising to victory under Richard Johnson. Despite being taken wide throughout, she still proved far too good for her rivals, and as she is being lined up for a tilt at the mares final at Newbury in March, that was not a great surprise. Warren Marston, who rode her at Uttoxeter the time before, is back in the saddle, and she should follow up. New Mischief has been off the track for over a year but ran well in defeat here on his last appearance, and any support in the ring should be noted. Zipalong Lad ran fairly well at Newcastle but will pay to follow more when sent over fences, while Edgar Wilde looks a similar sort and will need the run anyway. For the winner, we look no further than What a Vintage.
Cruising Clyde 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jaunty Times (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Edgar Wilde (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along 7th, lost place after 3 out, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Lease Back (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gs in May.
Fort Royal (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind That's For Sure (11-2) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Jul '04.
Hambaphambili 22-1 (11-0) Behind from 5th, 8th of 13, well behind Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs.
New Mischief (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, pressed and mistake last, headed and not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Progressive (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Nov '04.
River of Light (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened under pressure before 3 out, 6th of 13, 32l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Tuck In 25-1 (10-12) Raced wide, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 13, 26l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Zipalong Lad (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and every chance last, one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Youlbesolucky (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
What A Vintage (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Raced wide, held up in rear, good headway 8th, led 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft beating Double Dizzy (10-7) by 6l, 13 ran.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up rear, ridden and some progress after 7th, weakened after 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Franco (10-4) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Joseph Beuys (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mistakes, behind, blundered 5th, some headway until blundered and weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, 32l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
