mid-division on outside, closed from 8th, challenged 4 out, led and mistake 3 out, slow 2 out, driven out
led on outside until 4th, led before 5th, soon headed, lost place before 4 out, eased and well beaten 2 out
prominent, slow 5th, close up when not fluent 3 out, held in 3rd from next, stayed on flat
mid-division, not fluent 6th, struggling before not fluent 9th, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, lost place before 9th, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up rear of mid-division, headway from 8th, chased winner 2 out, held but stayed on
mid-division, behind from 9th
held up in rear, reminder after 7th, jumped left next, well behind from 9th
prominent on inside, led 4th, headed before next, soon led again, headed 3 out, held in 4th 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
A decent handicap but it may be significant that MARRACUDJA, who often travels strongly in his races, is back on the mark off which he won over course and distance last season and has undergone wind surgery. Hollywoodien has also had a wind operation since a third at Sandown while Commis D'Office made a promising reappearance at Newbury. Charmant won off a higher mark here last term but has not been at his best recently. Chozen may need this but Destined To Shine is at the top of his game and there should be more to come from Umbrigado. Maypole Class goes for the hat-trick but another 8lb rise may prove his undoing in this company.
Umbrigado (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, close 2nd 4 out, ridden between last 2, challenged last, led run-in, asserted final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Up The Straight (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Hollywoodien (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Led after 2nd, headed 4th, chased leader until 9th, chased leaders, outpaced before last, plugged on in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Ibleo (11-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Marracudja (FR) 3-1 (10-4) Led, soon 5 lengths clear, ridden and reduced lead 3 out, headed soon after next, weakened on the long run to last, 4th of 5, 16 3/4l behind First Flow (11-7) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Maypole Class (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 3 out, led soon after next, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Duhallow Lad (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Charmant (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Led until 8th, no extra 3 out, 4th of 5, 17 1/2l behind Ibleo (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Destined To Shine (IRE) 10-3fav (11-10) In touch, headway 5 out, led 3 out, ridden next, joined last, headed flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Protek Des Flos (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
The Paddy Pie (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th until 3 out, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Clan Legend (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Swift Crusador 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders on inside, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Brewin'upastorm (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Commis D'Office (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3rd (water), clear before 4 out until ridden before 2 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sao (11-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Chozen (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) In touch, blundered 3rd, mistake 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Little Light (11-6) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
