chased leaders, with leader 5th, led 6th, headed 8th and soon ridden, weakened from next
held up towards rear, headway before 4th, led before 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway before 4th, pushed along before 9th, kept on from 2 out, went 3rd after last
close up, ridden in 3rd before 2 out until after last, no extra
chased leaders, outpaced and lost place before 9th, headway 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last
held up towards rear, headway before 4th, led 8th, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
led, headed before 4th, pushed along before 8th, soon lost place, rallied from 2 out, kept on and never dangerous
close up, led before 4th, headed 6th, weakened after 3 out
always towards rear
AUREATE's defeat of Whitcombe Spirit at Fontwell was a giant step forward. He can defy a 5lb mark to follow up as the runner-up has been well beaten at Taunton since and is unreliable. Gilded Age would have solid claims on his best form and Noble Chic and Marble Walk both made the frame last time but Romney Marsh is an infrequent winner and has never scored off a mark this high. The remainder make little appeal on what they've shown so far.
Noble Chic 14-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and headway 2 out, ran on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Killimore Cottage (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Marble Walk (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) In rear, headway 10th, joined winner next, ridden and ever chance 2 out, weakened next, 3rd of 7, 18l behind John's Gem (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Gilded Age 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led before 7th, pushed along and headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 31l behind Petit Ecuyer (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Rulbin Realta 50-1 (10-5) Led until after 2nd, with leaders, not fluent 4th, hit 6th and stumbled, weakened soon after 3 out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Pendra (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Romney Marsh 6-1 (11-8) Always in rear, ridden 10th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind John's Gem (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Aureate 8-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to lead soon after 6th, clear before next, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec beating Whitcombe Spirit (9-13) by 5l, 10 ran.
Whitcombe Spirit 20-1 (9-13) Mid-division in touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Jupiter Rex (10-10) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Budsson 40-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 11th, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind John's Gem (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
She's Jolly (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) In rear, not fluent behind 13th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Dushy Valley (9-13) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
