mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken
settled at rear, still last after jumping 3 out, short-lived effort 2 out, weakened after last
led, increased gallop and went four lengths clear after 3rd, reduced advantage 3 out and headed before next, weakened out of contention
held up in rear, improved into mid-division after 3 out, went fourth 2 out, took third over last but no extra
settled worse than mid-division, still towards rear after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out and never able to get competitive
mid-division, drifted towards rear 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, weakened
chased leader when awkward 2nd, raced in clear second until taking lead approaching 2 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before last, one pace
mid-division but drifted back slightly when leaders went clear, headway into third when mistake 2 out, rallied to go 2nd at last, quickened well run-in to lead final 100 yards
in share of third when front two went clear after 3rd, travelled well into second 2 out, quickened to lead before last, stayed on but caught close home
raced in third, still close up but came under pressure before 2 out, weakened quickly
Totterdown, twice a course and distance winner, was third in this in 2018 but the trail-blazer will be vulnerable in the closing stages. Jolly's Cracked It is still capable, despite his advancing years, and could go well having dropped down the ratings. Galice Macalo has a chance making her handicaps debut on a hat-trick and Rosie And Millie was unlucky to come up against a well-treated improver in Buzz at Ascot. The latter is trained by Nicky Henderson, who runs MISTER COFFEY in this. The five-year-old made it 3-4 in career starts over track and trip last month and the manner of his victory suggests he’ll go close to defying a 10lb rise. Benson is also progressing but Solo disappointed again on his reappearance and has a big weight to shoulder.
Solo (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Raced keenly, held up in 6th, headway on outside after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 15 3/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 9-2jfav (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 14, 9 1/4l behind The White Mouse (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Totterdown 10-3 (11-1) Led, headed 2nd, tracked leader until 7th, weakening when fell 4 out, at Ffos Las 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Mister Coffey (FR) 2-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, took keen hold, smooth headway 2 out, cruised to the lead approaching the last, led last and extended advantage run-in, impressive, won at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Oscars Leader (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Nickolson (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Close up in third on rail, went second before 3 out, joined by winner 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on, 2nd of 4, 5 1/2l behind Ribble Valley (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Jolly's Cracked It (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway after 8th, close up when not fluent last, soon held, one pace flat, 5th of 14, 7l behind Jacamar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Rosie And Millie (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Led, pushed along 2 out, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Buzz (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Benson 5-6fav (11-6) A little reluctant to jump off, not always fluent, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, jumped path 110 yards out, edged left and led final 75 yards, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m (4) gs in Nov beating A Distant Place (11-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Galice Macalo (FR) 11-8fav (10-11) Reluctant to line up, rousted away from start, led before 2nd, clear final bend, easily, won at Stratford 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Eaton Collina (10-12) by 11l, 13 ran.
Let The Heirs Walk (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Led, untidy 2 out and hard-ridden, pressed and soon headed, faded late on, 5th of 10, 23 1/2l behind Straw Fan Jack (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
