held up towards rear, headway on outside 3 out, kept on from after 2 out, disputing 3rd but no chance with winner last, no extra in 4th closing stages
chased leaders until outpaced before 2 out, stayed on again last, went 3rd flat, no chance with easy winner
held up towards rear, rapid headway to to chase leaders after 2nd, hung right and led after 3 out, headed and outpaced before next, plugged on same pace after
held up towards rear, pushed along and no progress after 3 out, kept on flat, finished well
always towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, chased leaders before 2 out, disputing 3rd but no chance with winner last, weakened flat
pulled hard in mid-division, headway to chase leading pair 4th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, slow and ridden 3rd, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on again flat, no threat
chased leading pair until after 2nd, stayed handy until mistake and lost place 4th, soon towards rear, rallied on inside approaching 2 out, disputing 3rd but no chance with winner last, kept on same pace flat
led, mistake 5th, headed after 3 out, led again approaching and mistake 2 out, headed soon after, no chance with easy winner, kept on for 2nd
always in rear, never in contention
chased leader, led soon after 2 out, soon clear, pushed out fom last, easily
Ifyouletmefinish appeared to appreciate being stepped up to 2m4f at Taunton on Sunday though today's testing ground should ensure he gets a test of stamina. A line through Petite Robin puts him very close to SOFTSONG but Philip Hobbs' charge, three times winner on the Flat in France, is progressing nicely and looks well enough handicapped for this despite a 4lb rise. Valco De Touzaine was having his first start for the yard when just failing to cope with Captain Cardington over the C&D a month ago. With that under his belt he'll take some beating on his handicap debut and The Italian Yob is improving with every run and starts his handicap career on a fair mark. Chesil Beach Boy is consistent but probably a few pounds high and Duaiseoir may be better over further.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 6th and beaten when jumped left last, 6th of 8, 16l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr '11.
Ifyouletmefinish (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Raced wide in touch, challenged after 3 out, led narrowly before next, ridden and headed narrowly after last, kept on and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Landscape (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Chesil Beach Boy 8-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on outside 5th, one pace last, 4th of 12, 7l behind Bourne (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Urgence D'estruval (FR) 10-1 (10-3) 6th of 10, 14l behind Libaute (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Nov.
Kylenoe Fairy (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, struggling approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up last, in a race won by Kentford Grey Lady (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Softsong (FR) 13-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders, stayed on same pace after last, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Petit Robin (11-5) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Whitby Jack 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up in touch on inside, ridden after 3 out, one pace and held in 5th when brought down soon after 2 out, in a race won by Ultravox (10-5) at Ascot 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr '11, 8 ran.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up mid-division, with leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, pressed winner last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Captain Cardington (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Duaiseoir (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Farmer Matt (10-0) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
The Italian Yob (IRE) 11-10fav (10-9) Made all, strongly challenged when hampered 3 out, soon left clear, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec beating Key To The West (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Teshali (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 4th and hit last, kept on flat, pressing for 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 6l behind Charminster (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Lord Of House (GER) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led and not fluent 2 out, went right last, ridden clear flat, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating If In Doubt (11-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
