tracked leader, led after 3 out, pushed clear before next, unextended after, very easily
raced virtually alone on inside, in touch, outpaced in 4th 3 out, went 2nd next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
behind, struggling and reminders after 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off
held up behind, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced in 3rd on outside after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when hung left after next
led, driven and headed after 3 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, lost modest 4th towards finish
held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to take modest 4th towards finish, no chance with leaders
Kilgeel Hill is on an upward curve and wasn't unduly troubled to make all at Leicester last time. That was a conditionals' race so he has avoided a penalty here and gets 10lb from CARRACI APACHE, not taking into account Nico De Boinville's claim. But the Nicholls' gelding is also progressive and may be able to pick off his likely market rival in the closing stages if close enough. Amidon and Baku Bay have both shown signs of ability and should be contesting the places while Rude And Crude boasts some decent bumper form here and has already won between the flags. Horsted Valley is also better than he showed last time.
Caracci Apache (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 4th well before 2 out, driven before last, chased leader run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Clean Sheet (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Amidon (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Raced wide close up, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Mr Grey (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Graphical (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until lost place and in last trio 4th, never on terms after, 8th of 9, 35l behind Southfield Royale (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Horsted Valley 9-4fav (10-12) Prominent, hit 2nd, driven 6th, blundered 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, well behind Gone Forever (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Kilgeel Hill (IRE) 8-11fav (10-7) Made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) sft in Dec beating Orchard Boy (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rude And Crude (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, kept on and headed last 75 yards, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Tambura (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Spending Time 7-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Copper Birch (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Baku Bay (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, driven before last, held flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Private Malone (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
