led, jumped right, headed fifth, kept on, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed approaching 2out, soon weakened
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
in touch, led 2out, headed approaching last, soon no extra
in touch, led 2out, headed approaching last, soon no extra
in touch, ridden 3out, never troubled first 2
mid-division, ridden 9th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
Four of these are winners over the C&D but it's another, MARIE DEJA LA, who looks the one to beat. Chris Gordon's mare won four times in France, all at around this time of year, and would have added to that tally but for unseating her rider at the last at Fontwell before making amends there a couple of weeks later. Sircozy won on fast ground here last March and again at Fontwell in February and can make his presence felt with his rider able to claim 10lb while Ray Diamond may do best of the remainder.
Sircozy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) In touch on inside, pushed along after 5th, driven and disputing 4th before 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, bumped close home, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Bold Adventure (10-11) by hd, 8 ran.
Stars Du Granits (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner after 4 out until before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 30l behind Timesawastin (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Paddy Partridge 7-1 (10-12) In rear and in touch, not fluent, struggling from 9th, went remote 3rd before 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 4, well behind Cat Six (10-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Jul.
Ray Diamond 14-1 (11-5) Pressed leader, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, lost 4th last, 5th of 8, 14l behind Headly's Bridge (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Marie Deja La (FR) 4-1 (10-0) Soon tracking leaders, challenged after 3 out, led before next, clear last, eased towards finish (no time taken), won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Mr Muddle (11-9) by 11l, 9 ran.
Twin Bud 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden before 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 21l behind Schism (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gs in Feb.
Airedale Lad (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, chased winner 3rd until 3 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 7, 29l behind Domino Dancer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Wheres Johnny 16-1 (10-5) In rear, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 9, 30l behind James Pollard (10-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Shropshirelass 9-1 (11-5) In last pair, hit 7th and ridden, pushed along and struggling 10th, left in poor 5th before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 35l behind Patrixbourne (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in May.
