chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened before next
always towards rear, ridden and struggling well before 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway under pressure before 2 out, one pace before last
took keen hold, headway approaching 2 out, keeping on in 5th when fell last
pulled hard in rear, smooth headway before 2 out, soon challenging going well, led soon after 2 out, in command last, comfortably
mid-division, headway to lead well before 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, lost 2nd last strides
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, disputing 4th when brought down last
mid-division, headway when badly hampered and lost position before 2 out, rallied before last, kept on into 2nd last strides
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, badly hampered before 2 out, not recover, tailed off
held up in rear, staying on when hampered last, kept on flat
prominent until mistake and weakened 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
led, headed well before 2 out, soon weakened, hampered and eased, pulled up before last
Nonrunner
Apache Chant, Comprimario, Playing With Fire and ROCK 'N' ROLLER make up the shortlist here with the tentative vote going to the last-named. Gary Moore's gelding ran a good race last month when third to Mille Chief at Huntingdon and he looks potentially well-treated on this first handicap run now racing off a mark of 109. He is rated in the 70's on the level, stays well so this trip should be within his compass, and is expected to show improved form. Qaspal won tidily last time out at Kempton and remains of interest after that handicap bow, however he needs to prove that he is as effective over this longer trip, and as interesting may be the horse who followed him home last time Apache Chant. Regal Approach ran well in defeat at Cheltenham when last seen but the feeling is that he might need further, whilst Near The Water is consistent and he caught a tartar last time out in the form of subsequent winner Oenologue. Daring Origyn was in good form when last seen and is interesting if picking up in the same manner, Doctor Foxtrot's novice form looks very solid, whilst Global Flyer and Zarrafakt need to bounce back from disappointing recent efforts. Stopped Out is consistent and will try his best but he may prefer quicker ground, whilst Playing With Fire chases the hat-trick but the mare has more on her plate against the boys today. Rebeccas Choice, Comprimario and Mrs Fawlty all come here with recent wins under their belts and the market should help guide, whilst Blazing Buck is not discounted now dropped in grade. An ultra-competitive handicap, and the narrow vote is given to Rock 'N' Roller.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) With leaders, lost place after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 12, 26l behind Swansbrook (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Global Flyer 8-1 (11-5) Made most until headed well before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after, 9th of 16, well behind Volador (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Doctor Foxtrot (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, headway next, never able to challenge, 4th of 15, 15l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Daring Origyn (FR) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders before last and every chance as winner not fluent, stayed on but held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Peveril (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Qaspal (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Held up and always going well, smooth headway 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs beating Apache Chant (10-1) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Regal Approach (IRE) 6-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, kept on flat, 4th of 24, 6l behind Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs in Nov.
Stopped Out 10-1 (11-1) Led to after 1st, in touch, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed when not fluent next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders 4 out, one pace and no impression from next, 4th of 17, 13l behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Playing With Fire (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, hit 5th, effort to lead 2 out, soon ridden, 5 lengths clear when jumped right last, kept on, won at Bangor 2m 1f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs beating Just For Jean (10-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
Mrs Fawlty (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched left after 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, (no time taken), won at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft beating She's On The Case (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Tuscany Star (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio and soon well adrift, struggling 7th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Tanks For That (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chase (4) gs.
Comprimario (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) With leader, led 4th, left in clear lead 3 out, hit next, headed approaching last, rallied under pressure, led again close home, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Dalrymple (10-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Near The Water (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, challenged after next, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 20-1 (11-1) In touch, driven and effort approaching 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 7 lengths 3rd and no impression when hit last, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hideaway 66-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 29l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Blazing Buck 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened soon after 5th, struggling in last 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Baccalaureate (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Apache Chant (USA) 12-1 (10-1) Held up, towards rear, headway 5th, disputing lead well before 2 out, chasing winner and ridden 2 out, held before last, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Qaspal (11-5) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
