tracked leading pair, closer in 2nd after 3 out, dropped to 3rd briefly before 2 out, stayed on between last two, led last, hard driven run-in, all out
held up tracking leading trio, 2nd before 2 out until 2 out, ridden and weakened between last two
chased clear leader until soon after 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied on outside under pressure before 2 out,upsides last, hung left run-in, chased winner final 75 yards, strong challenge near finish, just failed
mistake 1st, held up last, hit 6th, 4th after 3 out until weakened before next, behind and eased, tailed off
raced freely, given 4 lengths lead start, led, drew further clear on long run to 4th, reduced lead 3 out, held together from 2 out, headed last, driven and chased winner until 75 yards out, soon no extra in 3rd
This has been won by the likes of Fingal Bay and Taquin De Seuil in recent years so the form will be worth following. Shantou Bob has yet to taste defeat but this is a big step up in class from recent victories at Ffos Las and Lingfield. Ordo Ab Chao deserves the utmost respect having won impressively twice over this trip at Huntingdon, and likewise Vyta Du Roc. He tries 2m4f for the first time but wasn't stopping when giving 7lb and a beating to Emerging Talent over 2m in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time. But the latter's trainer runs TARA POINT in this and he looked a smart prospect when winning in a canter at Exeter - he can take advantage of favourable terms here. Fontwell third Third Act will be winning once he learns to settle but is probably up against it today.
Vyta Du Roc (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, hanging right after 3 out, rallied 2 out, went 2nd last, driven to challenge and flashing tail flat, edged right and led towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Emerging Talent (11-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Ordo Ab Chao (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Made all, went right 2 out, clear before last, pushed out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Pyrshan (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Shantou Bob (IRE) 8-11fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, challenged 3 out, led soon after, in command before 2 out, pushed readily clear between last two, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov beating Sidbury Hill (10-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
Third Act (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Glowinginthedark (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Tara Point 3-10fav (10-10) Jumped slickly, made all, came easily clear before 3 out, unextended, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Morello Royale (10-10) by 15l, 11 ran.
