prominent in chasing group, went 2nd turning in until ridden between last two, weakened soon after
pressed winner until led 2nd and then raced keenly, went clear soon after, reduced lead 3 out, headed turning in, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly before 2 out, soon behind, tailed off
wore hood to post, led until 2nd, chased leader who went clear soon after, closer 3 out, led on bit turning in, shaken up between last two, stayed on run-in, reduced lead towards finish but always doing enough
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, ridden out wide turning in, went left and hit 2 out, 3rd and well held when went left at the last
held up off the pace in last pair, steady headway home turn, chased leaders before 2 out, went 2nd between last two, ridden and stayed on run-in, closer towards finish but always held
off the pace mid-division out wide, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, weakened soon after
held up off the pace in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on in 4th run-in
always behind, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor, tailed off
NonRunner
Nayati has been enjoying a revival and a switch back to hurdles won’t faze Friend Or Foe. Homme Public confirmed his progressive with an easy win at Wetherby but LOVE ENVOI (NAP) is 6-7 in career starts with her only defeat coming in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in April when she may just have had enough for the season. A dual Grade 2 winner here and at the Cheltenham Festival earlier, Harry Fry’s mare has her ground on her reappearance. Hermes Boy may have needed his run at Worcester and Playful Saint should also strip fitter here and has been lightly raced.
Friend Or Foe (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 8th, mistake 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, last of 3, 11 3/4l behind Goa Lil (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Martator (FR) 16-1 (10-7) 3rd of 6, 9 1/4l behind Theleme (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 3f hvy in Nov.
Love Envoi (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 3 out, pushed along in 2nd before next, ridden and led briefly after 2 out, headed before last where slight mistake, no impression, kept on one pace, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Brandy Love (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Nayati (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway approaching 2 out, led approaching next, ridden and ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Georges Saint (10-2) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Homme Public (FR) 10-3 (11-4) Midfield, headway approaching 3 out, led before next, ran on well from last, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Too Friendly (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Playful Saint (FR) 9-2 (11-13) Raced keenly, steadied rear, plugging on modest 4th when hit 3 out, never threatened, 4th of 6, 19 1/4l behind Sonigino (11-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Bashful Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased clear leading pair until before 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along in 4th home turn, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 15l behind Lightly Squeeze (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hermes Boy (FR) 10-1 (12-1) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, not clear run before 2 out, plugged on, never threatened, 5th of 16, 30 1/2l behind Branson Missouri (10-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Just The Man (FR) Evensfav (11-11) Held up in 3rd, off the pace until the 3rd, every chance when fell 3 out, at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Nov.
In The Air (FR) (0-0) 9th of 14, shd behind Inshot Josselyn (0-0) at Vincennes 1m 5f in Nov.
