tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, not fluent last, weakened flat
led, driven and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, tailed off
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner flat, always held
tracked leaders, headway and effort approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, went modest 4th flat, no impression
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, effort and every chance approaching last, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd flat
held up mid-division, driven before 2 out, soon outpaced, never on terms
tracked leaders, headway to challenge before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden out flat, stayed on well
held up, always in rear, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
Roadie Joe was completing a four-timer in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow in October but that form may be suspect as neither of the market leaders ran up to their best. Francis Of Assisi has another half-mile to cover after his fourth in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton and may have stamina limitations but progressive Fontwell winner Clondaw Cian will handle ground and trip and Captain Chaos could be anything after making a winning start over hurdles at Uttoxeter. LABEL DES OBEAUX failed to register a win in 11 starts under Rules in France but was third in a Listed handicap over 2m2f at Auteuil in April and came up against a potentially smart novice in American at Ascot last month – it could be his turn today.
Roadie Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, with leader, led 2 out, headed last, rallied run-in, kept on to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (1) gd in Oct beating Cardinal Palace (11-4) by shd, 6 ran.
Tjongejonge (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Led until headed and pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Captain Chaos (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Made all, pushed along 6th, mistake last, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Athou Du Nord (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Clondaw Cian (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 6th, not much room briefly after 3 out, challenged going best 2 out, led last, nudged clear flat, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov beating Bigmartre (11-5) by 9l, 9 ran.
Francis Of Assisi (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, hit 5th, plugged on into modest 4th run-in, no impression, 4th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Irving (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Dark Flame (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Work In Progress (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Label Des Obeaux (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, challenged next, upsides and mistake last, every chance run-in, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind American (10-12) at Ascot 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Talk Of The South (IRE) 2-1 (12-2) Pr, disp ld 1/2way, ev ch in cl 3rd aftr 4out, left cl 2nd 2out, eff to go upsides ldr last, all out flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Rebel Benefit (12-2) at Ballyragget 3m sft in Mar.
