tracked leaders, driven 4 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
held up in last pair, outpaced approaching 4 out, never near leaders
led, clear after 4th, went right 7th, blundered badly and reduced advantage next, headed approaching 4 out, weakened from next
mid-division, lost place 8th, behind and ridden after 5 out, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up
held up in last pair, headway on outside 6th, challenged 4 out, upsides when went left next, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear when went left again last, ridden out flat
tracked leader, close up 8th, led narrowly approaching 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair when mistake 2 out, soon no impression, lost 3rd last
tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, soon lost place, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd last, no impression
Most of these arrive in good heart, particularly Oscar Hill who has completed a double on much quicker ground and is 9lb higher. He may struggle in these conditions to concede 6lb to GREY GOLD, who was in cracking form in the spring and will be better for two recent runs. Filbert has gone up 8lb for landing a similar class handicap at Newbury but that's unlikely to prevent another big run though the main threat may come from Desert Cry, who is very useful when getting his favoured testing conditions. His Excellency is slowly coming down to a mark he's capable of winning from while none of the remainder can be dismissed in a wide-open handicap.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, closed 2nd, bumped and fell 6th, in a race won by Anquetta (10-8) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in May, 9 ran.
His Excellency (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up behind, 11 lengths down in 4th and staying on same pace when fell 4 out, in a race won by Pepite Rose (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led narrowly before last, headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Night In Milan (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Oscar Hill (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Made all, joined 5 out, driven 3 lengths clear 3 out, kept on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Dec beating Lancetto (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rody (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 9th, pushed along chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden before next, edged left and one pace in 4th when hit last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Filbert (10-8) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Desert Cry (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led next, clear approaching last, kept up to work flat, won at Exeter 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Dec beating Lidar (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Grey Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Jumped left 1st, chased leaders, led 9th until ridden approaching 2 out, chased leader until before last, 3rd and one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lancetto (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Dec.
Filbert (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 4 out, went 2nd and went right next, unsighted by loose horse next, stayed on approaching last, driven to lead final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov beating Parsnip Pete (10-13) by 3l, 11 ran.
Elenika (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, blundered and lost place 7th, rallied on inside 3 out, driven in 6th before 2 out, plugged on flat, went modest 4th final strides, 4th of 10, 15l behind Lancetto (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Dec.
