raced in rear, in touch, under pressure approaching 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
led 1st, led again 3rd, headed 5th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, hard ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led after 1st, headed 3rd, led again 5th, headed 2 out, rallied flat, stayed on well
held up in touch, headway 3 out, driven to lead next, jumped right last, strongly challenged closing stages, kept on under pressure
pulled hard in rear, headway 4th, weakened before 3 out
Sanctuaire and Ciceron finished third and fourth behind Salontyre at Exeter last month. It could be close between the pair on today's revised terms but neither has been at the top of their game so far this season. Tito Bustillo, however, was second to Nearby in a Grade 2 handicap at Wincanton in November and can race off a pound lower mark here so has to go on the short-list along with the progressive Dona. But the latter carries a penalty for a recent C&D win so preference is for KARASENIR. The form of his latest fifth at Exeter, his first run outside novice company, is working out well and Philip Hobbs' five-year-old looks well weighted here.
Sanctuaire (FR) 8-11fav (11-10) Led in and went left start, took keen hold, held up 4th and last, headway to lead briefly 4th, tracked leader, effort 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance with leading pair flat, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Salontyre (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 4yo (2) gs in Dec.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Chased clear leaders, closed 4th, chased leading pair after 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Nearby (10-5) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Benfleet Boy 66-1 (11-5) Led, soon clear, headed narrowly after 5th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 24l behind Aegean Dawn (9-9) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Dona 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along to chase leader 2 out, ridden to lead last, bumped soon after, kept on well flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs beating Ladies Dancing (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Karasenir (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders until weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 9l behind Salden Licht (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Ciceron (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Disputed 2nd to 4th, tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 3 out, outpaced next, 4th and no extra when not fluent last, last of 4, 16l behind Salontyre (9-13) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 4yo (2) gs in Dec.
Sircozy (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Behind, headway after 3 out, every chance from 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Cheshire Prince (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
