tracked leader, led after 7th, headed narrowly 4 out, soon driven, left in lead again next, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on
held up in touch, towards rear when not fluent 8th, driven after 4 out, kept on until weakened last
raced wide, in touch, tended to jump left, reminder 9th, outpaced 4 out, left 2nd next, soon ridden, one pace in 3rd when hung right approaching last, kept on, lost 3rd post
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, hampered next, ridden 2 out, went 2nd and challenged when hit last, led flat, kept on
fell 1st
chased leaders, ridden when blundered 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression
led, jumped left throughout, headed after 7th, tracked leaders, led again narrowly 4 out, fell next
held up behind in touch, headway after 3 out, chased leaders on outside next, ridden and kept on flat, took 3rd post, not reach leaders
The Skyfarmer isn't very big and looked ill-at-ease on his fencing bow at Ascot when finishing seven lengths behind Irish Cavalier. Black River also has plenty to prove having been pulled up at Market Rasen in a race in which the exposed Seventh Sky finished tailed off. Cold March makes his debut for Venetia Williams and Allez Vic likewise for Evan Williams while it's almost a year since Rally last saw a racecourse. HENRY KING loves it here and would probably have beaten Pure Science at Uttoxeter last month had he steered a straight course - compensation may be forthcoming, despite a 3lb rise in the weights.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased winner until after 4th, 2nd again next, ridden and no chance with winner before 2 out, ridden between last two, lost 2nd at the last, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Puffin Billy (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
The Skyfarmer 9-4fav (11-1) Held up last, hit 7th, went left next, went 4th and hit 10th, ridden and struggling when mistake 3 out, weakened and lost modest 4th run-in, last of 5, 21l behind Puffin Billy (11-1) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) sft in Nov.
Seventh Sky (GER) 25-1 (11-1) Led until blundered and headed 5th, chased leader until approaching 7th, chased leading pair until pushed along before 4 out, weakened quickly, behind and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Royal Regatta (10-13) at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Black River (FR) 7-2fav (11-6) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, weakening when mistake next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cloudy Bob (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Cold March (FR) (10-5) 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Gaelic Joy (9-13) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo lst hdl gs in Jun.
Rally 7-1 (11-9) Pressed leader, led 4th to next, with leader, driven after 4 out, lost place next, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, 45l behind Society Shares (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec '13.
Henry King (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Jumped left, led, clear 3 out, reduced lead before last, kept on until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Pure Science (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Allez Vic (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, jumped left at times, closer order 8th, led approaching straight, pressed 2 out, soon joined, stayed on best to regain lead run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in May beating Vasco Du Mee (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
