held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden and lost touch after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up behind on outside, struggling 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leader, led narrowly after 3rd, headed narrowly before 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with winner before last
led, went left 3rd, headed narrowly soon after, ridden and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led narrowly before 4 out, headed 2 out, soon outpaced and ridden, no chance with front pair from last
held up in touch on inside, tracked leaders 4 out, effort to challenge before 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
tracked leaders on outside, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th and beaten last
tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, weakened next
tracked leaders on inside, effort to lead 2 out, soon ridden, clear before last, kept on well
Darlac was fourth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham after winning at Fontwell. Alsa Mix puts her unbeaten record on the line, as does Quoi De Neuf and Down The Highway. The latter overturned the odds-on MERCY MERCY ME (NAP) at Lingfield but Fergal O’Brien’s charge was let down by his jumping in the closing stages that day and possibly didn’t handle the heavy ground as well as his rival. On this better going, the roles may well be reversed. My Way has yet to finish out of the frame and has placed in Grade 3 chases in France while Truckin Away beat the well-regarded Acey Milan at Ffos Las, though the form hasn’t been franked. Trio For Rio won over a longer trip at Bangor and staying will be his game.
Amateur (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Behind, pushed along and struggling approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 26 1/4l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Another Go (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up well off the pace, closed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-5) at Ascot 2m (2) gd in Nov.
Darlac (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 2 out, ridden before last, never on terms, 4th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Coolanly (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Down The Highway (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led after 3 out, driven clear last, readily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f (3) hvy in Nov beating Mercy Mercy Me (10-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Mercy Mercy Me 8-13fav (10-12) Chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, stumbled on landing last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Down The Highway (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f (3) hvy in Nov.
My Way (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 7, 5l behind Whetstone (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Mar.
Quoi De Neuf (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch on inside, not fluent 2nd, closed when hit 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, driven out, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov beating Redzor (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Trio For Rio (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Made all, pushed along and quickened clear 3 out, ridden and left clear last, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov beating Notachance (10-12) by 17l, 5 ran.
Truckin Away (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching and jumped right 4 out, driven clear when not fluent last, hung right closing stages, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov beating Acey Milan (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Alsa Mix (FR) 4-7fav (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased leader 3 out, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Everlanes (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
