chased leader who went clear until 3rd, dropped to 3rd before 3 out, challenged on inside and not fluent 2 out, soon led, clear when ridden and edged right run-in
raced lethargic in front but soon clear, pushed along paddock bend after 5th, reduced lead and reminder before 7th, came wide and joined 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace
pulled hard in rear, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened last
held up in 4th, closer in 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd out wide before 3 out until approaching next, hung left in 3rd and no impression run-in
raced in 3rd until before 4 out, outpaced and struggling in rear after 3 out, rallied on inside before next, weakened run-in
El Hageb Rose beat Beaufort West here in November but reverted to type subsequently at Fontwell and the latter hasn’t shown much since either. CROSSING THE BAR was going as well as any in a stronger race than this at Doncaster last time when brought down. He is preferred to Shot Boii, who couldn’t cope with a further 4lb rise at Ffos Las last month when on a four-timer. Dame Prestige is upped in trip and fitted with headgear on handicap debut.
Crossing The Bar (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division, going well tracking leaders when hampered and unseated rider home turn, at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Shot Boii (IRE) 11-4 (11-11) Handy, mistake 7th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, 4th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Mr Harp (11-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Dame Prestige (FR) 150-1 (10-12) In mid-division of chasing group, dropped to rear when pulled up before 3 out, at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Beaufort West (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Towards rear, dropped to rear at 7th, struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up last, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
El Hageb Rose (FR) 11-1 (11-4) In rear, in touch, pushed along omitted 3 out, beaten before 2 out, 7th of 8, 36 1/4l behind Alexandra Romanov (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
