with leader, led narrowly after 1st, headed narrowly 4 out (usual 5 out), ridden after 3 out, regained lead before next, joined last, headed flat, kept on, just held
led narrowly to after 1st, tracked front pair, led again narrowly 4 out (usual 5 out), headed before 2 out, soon ridden, rallied and upsides last, led flat, just held on
disputed lead after 1st, lost place after 4 out (usual 5 out), weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace in 4th before next, never on terms, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven 3 out, ridden to chase front pair before next, kept on same pace, never on terms
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Winning pointer Battle Dust got off the mark under Rules at Chepstow having only been beaten a head on his debut at Southwell. He stays well and is progressive but the handicapper has taken a dim view. HOWABOUTNEVER may represent better value as he wasn't stopping when stepping up to 3m at Wetherby and finishing second – Toby Wheeler's claim on today's going should also be a positive. Monetary Fund may not be the force of old but has been placed over this trip off a higher mark and Walk On Al was second on the course last year. Garde Fou is preferred to Moss On The Mill of the others.
Battle Dust (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Pressed leader, lost place and reminder after 4th, driven to stay in touch from next, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, 4 lengths down in 3rd when hampered and left 2nd at last, rallied flat, edged right near finish, led final strides, won at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Dec beating Ballywilliam (10-12) by shd, 6 ran.
Howaboutnever (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Native Optimist (11-4) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Moss On The Mill 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 7th, mistake 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Kublai (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Garde Fou (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up in last pair, headway and in touch 7th, tracked leaders wheh went left 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Dan Emmett (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
American Life (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place from 6th, well beaten before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Periquest (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Walk On Al (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, dist behind Lady Of Longstone (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Monetary Fund (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 9 1/4l behind Lady Of Longstone (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
