held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, squeezed for room and went 2nd next, pushed along turning in, ridden and no extra between last two, kept on for clear 2nd
chased leaders, weakened home turn, left modest 4th 2 out
made all, pushed along home turn, ridden and stayed on gamely to assert between last two, unchallenged
waited with towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, 3rd and held when fell 2 out
raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, weakened after 3 out
ran in snatches out wide and off the pace, reminders after 3rd, jumped slowly next, mistake 7th, went right and hit next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, outpaced after 4 out, towards rear and never on terms after
chased winner until 3 out, soon pushed along in 4th, left modest 3rd 2 out
NonRunner
Storm Hill would have a chance on easy maiden win at the track last season but weakened quickly when starting favourite for the race won by Baddesley over course and distance last month. Super Duper Sam was runner-up in that contest and is closely matched with the winner today. Handicap debutant Mountain Leopard made a very promising reappearance at Chepstow but PILSDON PEN (NAP) was making giant strides earlier in the year and continued that improvement when scoring on his return to action at Exeter. Still unexposed over this trip and a genuine soft-ground performer, he should go close to a fourth win in six starts this year. Northern Poet came good here last month but has already been beaten off this higher mark and Zestful Hope has only won at Hereford so far.
Le Patron (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Settled in midfield, prominent from 4th, chased leader 4 out, led final bend well before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, headed final 125yds, rallied gamely under pressure, pair well clear, 2nd of 15, nk behind Avenue Du Mesnil (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Jun.
Zestful Hope (FR) 11-4 (12-2) Led until after 3rd, led 4th, ridden after 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Walkinthewoods (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Thirtyfourstitches (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Held up, pulled up before 5th, at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Super Duper Sam 12-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went second approaching 2 out, pushed along 2 out, stayed on from last, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Baddesley (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Baddesley (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Close up, led after 2nd, disputed lead after 8th, good jump to lead next, pushed along after 3 out, edged left then right when ridden after last, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Super Duper Sam (12-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Mountain Leopard (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, asked for effort before 3 out, faced strong challenge 2 out, headed before last, mistake last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Ben Bulben (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and could not go pace of leaders before 3 out, plugged on in distant 4th, 4th of 15, 23 1/2l behind Timeforatune (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Storm Hill (IRE) 16-5fav (11-5) Led, headed after 2nd, disputed lead after 8th, headed next, ridden before 2 out, soon faded, 8th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Baddesley (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Northern Poet (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, headed 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along to go second approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge and edged left flat, ran on to lead final 110yds, won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Tea And Chats (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Pilsdon Pen 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, smooth headway before 3 out, led travelling strongly 3 out, faced strong challenge from 2 out, kept on, gamely, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Fanfaron Dino (11-4) by 1l, 9 ran.
