raced keenly, held up in touch, progress approaching 8th, weakened approaching last
led, driven along approaching 2 out, headed before last, one pace
always prominent, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on
held up, reminders after 6th, ridden and lost touch approaching 8, tailed off
chased leader, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up, niggled along before 6, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A small but competitive field goes to post for this handicap chase and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Vinmix de Bessy, Scribano Eile and O'Toole and the vote is given to Vinmix de Bessy. The selection was a good second behind Mighty Fine. That form looks solid in the context of this race and off the same mark he looks the one to be on. Scribano Eile rates the main danger as he had every chance until unshipping last time out. If his jumping holds up he will not be far away. O'Toole could go well off this mark but he has not progressed as expected so he can not be put forward with much confidence. Waterspray is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he now looks weighted up to his best. Desert Secrets could go well if fit after a 196-day break but for the winner we return to Vinmix de Bessy.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Held up, headway 4 out, went 2nd next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Mighty Fine (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Waterspray (AUS) 4-1 (11-12) Led to 2nd, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 18l behind Brave Villa (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct.
O'Toole (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place after 4th, ridden after 3 out, never on terms, 12th of 17, 12l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Classic Role 50-1 (11-4) Behind, hit 4th, ridden 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 8, 29l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-4) at Kempton 2m beg chs (3) gd in Oct.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Silver Charmer (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Scribano Eile (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, prominent when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Newton Bridge (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
