tracked leader, ridden and chased winner between last two, well held when ballooned the last
waited with in 4th, went 3rd before 4 out, going well when led on inside 2 out, pushed clear between last two, in no danger when bit awkward at the last
raced in close 3rd on inside and pushed along at times, awkward 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
led, went bit wide and headed 2 out, ridden and well held when lost 2nd between last two, no extra in 3rd, finished tired
Ubetya debuts for Paul Nicholls’ yard having missed the whole of last year. Sopran Thor didn’t get very far before unseating at Lingfield and remains 7lb higher than when last successful while Chinwag won at Ffos Las in November but finished third of only four runners at Wetherby last time. DOWNTOWN GETAWAY came up short once again attempting the 3m trip at Ascot but is better suited to this shorter distance having won at Ffos Las earlier and Peter Bowen’s charge gets another chance.
Ubetya (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up, took closer order 4th, not fluent 5th, reminders 7th, in touch when jumped slowly 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from last, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Haydock 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Chinwag 10-3 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 14 1/4l behind Midnight River (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sopran Thor (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Downtown Getaway (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, some headway out wide when hit 13th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
