led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
tracked leader, hit 5th, led after 4 out, clear when hit last easily
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off final 3
held up in rear, hit 4th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home
Vintage Premium was useful on the Flat and should be more than capable of winning a race of this nature, with German raider Larssarto, Maunsell's Road and Valeureux making things interesting. Vintage Premium is a classy recruit to the winter game, having won the John Smiths' Cup at York in 2002, and been placed in any number of decent events on the level. Richard Fahey decided to pop him over hurdles at Ayr 11 days ago, but unfortunately chose the same race that Cambridgeshire hero Chivalry made his debut in. Vintage Premium lost no caste in defeat in coming off second best to an above-average rival, and he must soon go one better. His chance will increase if any more rain falls on the Yorkshire track, but even so, connections will be looking for the winner's berth here. Larssarto was considered fairly useful on the Flat in his homeland, but despite having Tony McCoy in the saddle, does not look unbeatable . Maunsell's Road does not look to be one of Len Lungo's top novices, having shown only moderate form over hurdles so far, and his Flat form was way inferior to that of the selection. Valeureux was struggling to defy a penalty incurred at Hexham when coming to grief at Carlisle, and again has it to do here. Vintage Premium will be a popular choice and gets the vote.
