mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, struggling in modest 6th when mistake next, tailed off
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
always in rear, well tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tended to jump left, made most until headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
chased leading pair, led after 3 out, joined and hit last, headed and not pace of winner run-in
chased leaders, brushed rail on bend after 3 out, pushed along and went 2nd before 2 out until 2 out, 3rd and one pace between last two, went left last, weakened run-in
held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 7th, tracking leaders going well when slightly hampered on bend after 3 out, 2nd on bit 2 out, upsides last, quickened to lead run-in, soon pushed clear, easily
chased leader until after 5th, soon lost place, weakened before 7th, tailed off
mid-division, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off
always towards rear, struggling before 3 out, tailed off
towards rear most of way, never on terms, tailed off
took keen hold early, held up towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and plugged on same pace in 4th from 2 out
This looks a straight match between ROCK THE KASBAH (NAP) and Vago Collonges. The latter has just looked a little one-paced so far so we are going with the Hobbs' gelding, who had three subsequent winners behind when scoring with plenty to spare in a conditionals' race at Fontwell in November. Spellbound, Heroes Or Ghosts and the hurdling debutant Courtlands Prince are expected to be among those contesting the minor places and Fountains Cider has been placed in point-to-points.
Courtlands Prince 5-1 (11-0) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Tambura (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
Fountains Cider 15-2 (12-0) Gd hdwy 13; ev ch last; wknd final 200yds, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Willow Bird (11-0) at Dulverton West 3m ptp gf in May.
Gotham City (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Always towards rear and raced 5th throughout, bad mistake 6 out and soon trailing, soon no impression, 5th of 6, well behind Stonehall Jack (11-4) at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Heroes Or Ghosts (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 7th of 11, 12l behind Quinlandio (10-11) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Remiluc (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Different Gravey (10-11) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 4-7fav (10-9) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, driven to lead between last 2, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) sft in Nov beating Kilgeel Hill (10-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Vago Collonges (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, pushed long before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 11l behind Maximiser (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Nov.
Waddingtown Hero (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Led until after 4th, mistake and lost place next, weakened 6th, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Stilletto (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Catkin Copse 50-1 (9-12) Held up behind, struggling 5th, soon lost touch, plugged on from 2 out, no chance with leaders, 4th of 8, well behind King Edmund (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Kavestorm 200-1 (11-2) Always behind, lost touch after 2nd, tailed off and pulled up bypassing omitted 3 out, in a race won by Tara Point (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f Listed nov hdle (1) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Paper Lady (IRE) 200-1 (10-3) Mid-division, struggling before 4th, soon behind, 13th of 18, well behind Abigail Lynch (10-7) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Petite Fantasie 200-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, not jump well, in rear, blundered 1st, reluctant next, never a factor, 14th of 17, well behind Queen Of The Stage (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Redanna (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before next, beaten when went left 2 out, 11th of 17, 37l behind Queen Of The Stage (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Spellbound 40-1 (10-10) Chased leading pair, went right 4th, ridden before 3 out, under pressure and no impression between last two, weakened last, 6th of 17, 17l behind Queen Of The Stage (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
