behind, headway 5 out, chasing leaders when fell next
held up in rear, mistake 5 out, hampered next, headway 2 out, never on terms
led until 8th, soon led again, headed 5 out, soon rallied, weakened quickly before 2 out
always prominent, led 8th, soon headed, led again 5 out, strongly challenged when fell 2 out
mid-division, frequently not fluent, headway to chase leaders halfway, every chance when left in lead 2 out, ran on well
in touch, under pressure when hampered and brought down 4 out
chased leaders, every chance when left in clear 2nd at 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, lost place before 8th, detatched 10th, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along 14th, soon beaten, left in modest 3rd at 2 out
Quartz Du Montceau is back on-song and on a hat-trick after winning at Folkestone and over today's course and distance six weeks ago. Miss Fleur also enters the reckoning as she was only beaten two lengths off today's mark at Lingfield earlier in the month and has the beating of Massini Sunset. But the one to beat is probably JUPITER REX. After winning twice over hurdles, he comfortably justified favouritism back over fences at Ludlow last week and has more scope than any of these. Digger Gets Lucky has a very good amateur on board and is lightly-raced for his age. He could threaten the places if showing his best form.
The Gossmoor Yank (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Held up behind in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Ringa Bay (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Sole Agent (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Led, blundered 9th, soon headed, led again 11th, joined 2 out (normal 3 out), headed approaching last, lost 2nd soon after last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Radetsky March (11-11) at Lingfield 3m amat chs (6) hvy.
Global Warming (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Soon held up, bumped 9th, driven after 11th, lost place and behind when blundered badly next, tailed off 14th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Flying Award (11-5) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Jupiter Rex (FR) 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, hampered 5th, headway 11th, went 2nd 3 out, led last, comfortably, won at Ludlow 3m cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Hazy Dawn (10-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Miss Fleur 5-1 (11-2) Raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd after 14th, ridden edged left and stayed on same pace flat, kept on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Somerby (10-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened before 9th, well behind when blundered 14th, rallied to poor 4th at the last, 4th of 9, 26l behind Somerby (10-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 9-4 (10-11) Made all, hit 4th, pushed along and in command before 2 out, 4 lengths ahead last, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan beating Beware Chalk Pit (11-12) by 5l, 3 ran.
Whitcombe Spirit 25-1 (9-11) Mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, driven in rear after 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by I Know The Code (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy, 13 ran.