tracked leader, headway over 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and headed over over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, no chance with front trio from over 1f out, lost 4th well inside final furlong
mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on under pressure to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, clear inside final furlong
chased leaders to halfway, soon pushed along in mid-division, no danger after, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, never troubled leaders
raced keenly, held up mid-division on inside, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and stayed on to take 4th well inside final furlong, never nearer
raced keenly, held up, always behind, ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair from over 1f out
held up behind, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
THE BUTCHER SAID changed hands for 135,000 euros shortly after finishing a close second at Punchestown for Emmet Mullins in April - he can go one better on his first run for Warren Greatrex. Khage wasn't beaten far at Chepstow last month, despite running green, and will know more today. Classic Ben ran well at the same track on his debut under Rules while Railroad Junkie was only beaten a head at Fontwell in August. Don Lami is a points winner while Ostuni cost 80,000 euros last year and looks the pick of the newcomers.
Classic Ben (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led 1f, chased leader, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kateson (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Khage (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, 3rd and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Mont Des Avaloirs (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Mercy Mercy Me Shirocco gelding out of Monsignorita.
Ostuni (FR) Great Pretender gelding out of Mamassita.
Railroad Junkie (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, good headway on outside and switched over 2f out, challenged and edged left over 1f out, ridden to lead narrowly and hung left inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 7, hd behind King Vince (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gf in Aug.
Sammylou (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, led after 3f, headed over 3f out, soon lost place, 13th of 16, 24 1/2l behind Skidoosh (10-12) at Worcester 2m (6) gd in Oct.
That'sthescoop Dabbers Ridge gelding out of Artemise.
The Butcher Said (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight travelling smoothly, led and ridden from 2f out, headed inside final furlong and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 23, 1/2l behind Roaring Bull (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Legend Of France Flying Legend filly out of Bonne Anniversaire.
Miss Malarky (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Jubilympics (10-12) at Towcester 2m (5) gf in May.
Don Lami (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, strongly challenged over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Nov beating It's Got Legs (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
