led, driven and headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, no extra last, weakened flat
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3rd, went 3rd 3 out, lost place next, soon ridden, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway on inside when not much room and hampered on bend after 3 out, recovered and close up next, every chance last, no extra in 3rd flat
held up mid-division, driven and headway on outside after 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, led between last 2, stayed on well flat
held up mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, close up again next, soon ridden, every chance when blundered last, no extra flat
tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, led narrowly approaching next, ridden and headed between last 2, every chance last, weakened flat
held up behind, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, never on terms
PROOFREADER (NAP) was confirming earlier promise when winning on the bridle at Taunton eight days ago. He has a penalty to carry but there looked to be plenty in the tank that day and he'll take some stopping here. Mr Fickle is a bit more exposed but rarely runs a bad race and should be in the frame again. Linguine has found only one too good at Exeter and Huntingdon and, like Spice Fair, has won on the Flat though a longer trip probably wouldn't come amiss. But he's still preferred to Argot and Eco Warrior, both well beaten in the same race at Cheltenham last month.
Linguine (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led, clear until 3 out, headed when hit 2 out, hampered and left 2nd last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Matorico (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Argot 25-1 (11-9) In touch, lost place after last (usual 2 out), soon weakened, 13th of 20, 29 1/4l behind A Hare Breath (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Proofreader 8-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, headway approaching 4 out, travelling well in 5th after next, 3rd on bit before 2 out, led last, soon clear, easily, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Floresco (11-11) by 9l, 17 ran.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 5-1fav (11-9) Chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure, always held, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Solstice Star (10-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Spice Fair 7-1 (11-10) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Mountain Of Mourne (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Eco Warrior 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division on inside, hit 1st, (usual 3rd), weakened 2 out (usual 3 out), 12th of 20, 21 1/4l behind A Hare Breath (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Miss Fortywinks 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, well beaten after 3 out, 13th of 17, 25 1/4l behind Crickel Wood (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Agha Des Mottes (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 2nd, effort and switched right after 3 out, outpaced by leaders and no impression, 5th of 6, 22 1/4l behind Storm Of Swords (11-12) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in May.
