refused to race and took no part
led and disputed, hit 11th, headed next, lost 2nd after 14th, weakened before 15th, behind when blundered next and pulled up
hit 1st, chased leading pair, went 2nd after 14th until 4 out, ridden and well held before next, went 2nd again at the last, no chance with winner
ran in snatches and wide, chased leaders, lost place 6th, rallied next, mistake 10th, outpaced when not fluent 14th rallied before next, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up tracking leaders on inside, closer in 3rd at 15th, hit 17th, went 2nd next until the last, no extra in 3rd
led and disputed, hit 10th, in front 12th, hit 16th, clear before 3 out, hit next, stumbled on landing last, kept on strongly
Royal Vacation won last year’s inaugural running when Regal Flow was well beaten but that was on faster ground and this looks more competitive. Daklondike has plenty to find on these terms but the remaining trio all have a shout with YALA ENKI (NAP) edging it at the weights. Paul Nicholls’ chaser returned to form with creditable third carrying a big weight in last month’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and looks to have leading claims on that form. Rock The Kasbah also arrives on the back of a much better effort when just missing out to Cogry in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham while Valtor reverts to the larger obstacles having won over hurdles at Ascot in November, though has a bit to prove over this far.
Daklondike (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Slowly away, behind, under pressure halfway, soon struggling, some late headway, never nearer, 5th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Lord Du Mesnil (10-8) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Regal Flow 16-1 (10-9) Chased leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner and every chance run-in, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Jepeck (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Always prominent, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly turning in, ridden and headed flat, rallied towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Cogry (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd 17th, every chance 3 out, lost 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Give Me A Copper (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Valtor (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, beaten after 2 out, well held when hung right after last, 5th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Redford Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Yala Enki (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Led until after 1st, prominent, led after 7th, headed after 12th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and held flat, edged right, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Potters Corner (10-11) at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Dec.
