not always fluent, chased winner throughout, ridden along on final circuit, driven and no impression before 2 out
raced wide, always last, ridden and not went left 4 out, beaten when mistake next
made all, hit 4th, pushed along and in command before 2 out, 4 lengths ahead last, stayed on well
Nonrunner
Beware Chalk Pit had QUARTZ DU MONTCEAU 30 lengths adrift when scoring over C&D six weeks ago but the latter was making his seasonal reappearance that day and has since battled to a game victory at Folkestone. Diana Grissell's gelding is also 6lb better off now and is fancied to turn the table and land this. Hobb's Dream has become disappointing and was well-beaten over hurdles at Sedgefield on Friday while Red Anchor has shown very little so far over fences or hurdles.
Beware Chalk Pit (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 13th, chased leader 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on well from last,, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec beating Dushy Valley (10-6) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 17l behind Gwladys Street (11-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Made all, ridden approaching 13th, ridden clear before 2 out, joined and strongly pressed flat, battled on gamely and pulled out extra in closing stages, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec beating Mr Valentino (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Red Anchor (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4th, hard ridden 4 out, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Award Winner (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.