keen, chased leaders out wide, blundered pitched on landing and unseated rider 8th
held up in 5th, pushed along disputing modest 4th after 4 out until weakened before next, never on terms
tracked leading pair, went 2nd on inside before 2 out, challenged and hit 2 out, led between last two, clear before the last, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, went 3rd between last two, went 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
raced keenly, held up in last trio, headway when went badly left at 8th and left in 4th, went left next, weakened 3 out
pressed leader and jumped left at times, pushed along and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened into 4th between last two
slight lead but pressed, joined 2 out, headed between last two, lost 2nd at the last, weakened in 3rd run-in
last pair, hit 4th, behind and never on terms after, tailed off
GUNSIGHT RIDGE was still showing signs of inexperience here four weeks ago but was always holding the rallying Bun Doran with Moonlighter, who fell at the first at Doncaster last week, almost 10 lengths away in third. The latter beat Dolos in this year but the runner-up is reunited with Harry Cobden, though it would be no surprise if Tamaroc Du Mathan proved the pick of the Paul Nicholls pair. Frero Banbou was a course and distance winner last year and justified market support at Lingfield last month but a 6lb rise has elevated him to a new career-high mark and Wincanton second Rikoboy still has a bit to prove in this grade.
Hatcher (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra from last, 6th of 9, 22l behind Editeur Du Gite (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Tamaroc Du Mathan (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Prominent until 1st, steadied towards rear, pushed along after 10th, struggling before 4 out, soon well beaten, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Dolos (FR) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, mistake 10th, ridden after 3 out, never in contention, 8th of 9, dist behind Palmers Hill (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Frero Banbou (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Patiently ridden in rear, good headway out wide chasing leaders went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and sustained challenge run-in, stayed on best to lead inside final 110 yards, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Eclair D'Ainay (11-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Moonlighter 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, fell 1st, at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Bun Doran (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led, pushed along and joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, chased winner, stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Gunsight Ridge (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Gunsight Ridge 11-4 (11-0) Raced on inside chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead between last two, ridden and hung both ways run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Bun Doran (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rikoboy (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on well flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Another Crick (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
