led at strong pace but pressed, hit 8th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened quickly home turn
went right and bumped 1st, chased leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, led home turn, soon clear, easily
off the pace in 4th place, hit 4th, outpaced before 8th, rallied approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd home turn
went left and bumped 1st, pressed leader at strong pace, challenged from 7th, led 4 out until ridden home turn, no chance with easy winner
always last, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced next, no chance after, tailed off
NonRunner
NonRunner
AZZURI came right back to form when only beaten a length by favourite Commis D’Office at Southwell. He hasn’t won for two years but is now 14lb lower and there is the prospect of further improvement with cheekpieces added. Fairway Freddy won here last month before finishing fourth at Kempton in a race in which Doukarov fell when weakening having set a strong pace. Ar Mest is best in small fields but 0-7 over fences but stable companion Iconic Muddle was a fair third at Warwick on his chasing bow and has scope.
Doukarov (FR) 9-4fav (11-2) Raced keenly, led, went clear after 3rd, came back to the field before 6th, headed next, chased leader, every chance 4 out, lost 2nd before next, weakening when fell 2 out, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Fairway Freddy (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leader who went clear after 3rd, closer before 6th, led next, ridden before 2 out, headed before the last, soon lost 2nd, weakened and lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Onthefrontfoot (10-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Monty's Award (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Off the pace in 6th, left modest 5th at 7th (water), outpaced 9th, no chance after, ridden and struggling before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Azzuri 3-1 (11-2) Led, pushed along before 3 out, still led at last but headed on run-in, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Commis D'Office (11-1) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Ballyegan Hero (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Realm Keeper (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Ar Mest (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd throughout, jumping not fluent at many fences, mistake 5 out, not fluent when ridden to chase leader 2 out, again not fluent last and never able to trouble easy winner, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Fidelio Vallis (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gf in Mar.
Iconic Muddle 7-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, closed before next, disputing 2nd and no impression on winner 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind King D'Argent (11-8) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
