tracked leaders on inside, pushed along home turn, went 2nd before 2 out until between last two, left modest 2nd and hampered by faller last, no chance with winner
bit keen, led, joined and went left 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened rapidly
held up in last trio, lost place slightly at 3rd, smooth headway out wide before 2 out, 2nd going well between last two, led when left clear at the last
chased leader, led before 2 out, ridden and already headed when fell last
held up in last pair, pushed along in rear after 3 out, left modest 4th at the last, never on terms
held up in rear, headway out wide tracking leaders 5th, pushed along before home turn, left modest 3rd at the last
tracked leading pair, pushed along and hung right before 2 out, weakened between last two
NonRunner
NonRunner
Royal Pretender hasn’t been beaten far in a couple of handicaps since completing a double at Plumpton in November. Straight Swap and Garincha are closely matched on their 1-2 at Chepstow and Whistleinthedark is improving and makes his handicap debut. WHYDAH GALLY was well on top in the closing stages at Wincanton last month and there may be more to come from Colin Tizzard’s gelding now he’s got his head in front. Doncaster second Peejaybee, Love Actually and Spike Jones are also worth a second look in an open finale.
Royal Pretender (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, kept on but not pace of front two, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Highway One O Two (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Mister Watson 12-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, effort after 7th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Celebre D'Allen (11-3) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Peejaybee (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, soon led, headed before hit 2 out, switched right before last, held flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Inishbiggle (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Whydah Gally 5-2fav (11-1) Prominent, led 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Jetaway Joey (11-10) by 6l, 11 ran.
Garincha (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 2nd 2 out, led last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Straight Swap (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Straight Swap (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden after 7th, closed after 2 out, hit last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Garincha (11-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Love Actually (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, switched right and pressed leader before last, led final flight, pushed out and drew clear run-in, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan beating Sindabella (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
Whistleinthedark (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) In touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, driven to lead and edged left run in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Sandy Brook (11-4) by hd, 11 ran.
Spike Jones 7-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, 3rd and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 17 1/2l behind Mahler Mission (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
