keen, held up in 4th place, hung badly right and weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, eased
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, went modest 3rd close home
raced keenly, led, hit 4th, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, well held and no chance before last
always last, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in last pair, headway and closer in 4th after 3 out, pushed along before next, weakened between last 2
tracked leader until 3rd, tracked leading pair, 2nd again after 3 out, led travelling well approaching next, came clear before last, easily
held up in touch in 5th, mistake 3 out, pushed along and headway into 3rd when blundered 2 out, went badly left and weakened last, lost modest 3rd close home
Monsieur Lecoq finally came good in a Ffos Las maiden and opening mark of 122 looks fair. Court Royale was taking on Grade 3 company last time at Cheltenham and his Taunton victory has been franked, though he is tied in closely with Wincanton winner Our Merlin on collateral form. Thistimenextyear was just caught over track and trip last month but steps up a couple of grades for this and the lightly-raced Demopolis looks to have plenty to do off top weight. Saintemilion has been off the track for more than two years but is now with Paul Nicholls. ERAGON DE CHANAY is two from three here and, with a fast pace likely, could have this race run to suit. He stays further and has already won under 10lb claimer Niall Houlihan this season.
Demopolis (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, left tracking winner from 2nd, outpaced when winner quickened pace 3 out, ridden after next, no chance when hit last, 2nd of 6, 19l behind The Big Bite (11-5) at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
Eragon De Chanay (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, dist behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Our Merlin 11-2 (11-2) Made all, jumped left 3 out, ridden after next, ran o n well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Snapdragon Fire (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Saintemilion (FR) 7-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Rainbow Dreamer (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Dec.
Court Royale (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, some late minor headway, never involved, 9th of 21, 11 3/4l behind Mohaayed (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Monsieur Lecoq (FR) 4-6fav (10-12) Pulled hard, made all and jumped well, clear before 3rd, in no danger after, unchallenged, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Chambard (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Thistimenextyear 5-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 3 out, led approaching next, driven 3 lengths clear when went left last, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed closing stages, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Shaw's Cross (10-11) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
