keen, tracked leaders, led before 6th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon lost place
prominent, weakened after 7th, mistake 9th, soon behind
always in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
led until approaching 6th, rallied 3 out, mistake last, kept on
mid-division, lost place 5th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led before 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well
held up in rear but in touch, mistake 7th, effort 3 out, soon no impression
This looks quite competitive as Vive Le Roi shaped well on his reappearance at Stratford, only weakening off the home turn. Ding Ding is only 3lb higher than when scoring over course and distance in February. Chef D'Equipe changed hands for 130,000 euros after winning over fences at Auteuil in June but quicker going may have suited the returning Searching and Mr Grey has been off the track for nearly 12 months and, like Rothman, likely to be back over fences soon. FIXED RATE's hurdling career has been a little stop-start to date but he was impressive at Fakenham last month and James Bowen's claim helps offset a 10lb hike in the weights.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) (10-13) won at Auteuil 2m 6f hvy in Jun beating Chao Chao (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Fixed Rate 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead before 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Bonnet's Vino (11-10) by 10l, 7 ran.
Vive Le Roi (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders halfway, ridden before 2 out, outpaced before last, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind El Terremoto (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Mr Grey (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, every chance 3 out, driven and no impression on winner from last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Mercian Prince (11-9) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Searching (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged next, led last, edged left flat, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in May beating Magic Music Man (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rothman (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, outpaced 2 out, held when slipped up on bend turning into straight, at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Ding Ding 8-1 (10-4) Behind, outpaced before 5 out, 7th of 8, 19 3/4l behind I See You Well (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gf in May.
Kincora Fort (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, edged right and clear flat, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May beating New Horizons (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
