raced keenly, tracked leaders, tracked leader 2nd, led after 4 out, narrowly headed 3 out and dropped to 3rd, ridden rallied in 2nd and every chance last, stayed on run-in always held
tracked leader until 2nd, handy 3rd, went 2nd after 4 out, led 3 out, headed last, no extra in 3rd run-in
off the pace and always towards rear, never involved
chased leaders on inside, hit 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
towards rear, modest 5th 3 out, never on terms
off the pace in last pair, tailed off
off the pace towards rear, fell 4 out
held up and behind, headway went modest 4th 3 out, never involved
towards rear, behind and struggling 4th, tailed off when badly hampered by faller and unseated rider 4 out
held up tracking leaders in 5th, closer before 3 out, led and hit last, driven and held on
raced keenly and jumped right, led and soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, headed after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
Risk D'Argent was a beaten favourite at Fontwell after winning at Uttoxeter but can’t be ignored here. Barnabas Collins travelled strongly for a long way at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and will know more today. Bumper winner Fringill Dike is worth a market check and Lupus Regem won at Newcastle last month, despite still showing signs of inexperience. LIMETREE BOY was beaten when falling at the last at Warwick but an earlier second to Hillcrest at Aintree reads well and this drop in trip might suit. Apothicaire has a first run for Dan Skelton but is probably best watched.
Lupus Regem 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2 out, led next, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Stokes (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Risk D'Argent (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Led, headed 3rd, mistake 5th, mistake 2 out when weakening, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 8, 13 1/2l behind Hecouldbetheone (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec.
Apothicaire (FR) 5-1 (12-2) Ww twrds rr, 13th from 4th, fair 13th 5out, prog in 9th aftr 4out, still fair 7th when pu aftr 2out, at Ballindenisk 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Barnabas Collins (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Keen tracked leader, ridden and no impression 2 out, held when fell at last, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Beat The Edge (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Hdwy 11; chsd wnr 3 out; kpt on one pce, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind The Great Phoenix (12-0) at Alnwick 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Copper Beach (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway 5f out, soon close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 33 3/4l behind Grey Dawning (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Doors Breaker (FR) 200-1 (11-2) Led until 1st, chased leader, not fluent and reminder 5th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Moriko De Vassy (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Fathers Advice (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, hampered 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Livelifetothemax (11-6) at Ayr 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Fringill Dike (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Raced wide tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Grey Dawning (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Limetree Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along in 5th after 3 out, weakening when fell last, at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Strike Of Lighting (IRE) 12-1 (12-2) Chased leader, disputed halfway, led 6f out, headed 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Minella Cocooner (12-2) at Kilbeggan 2m gd in Jun.
Get Going 100-1 (10-12) Chased leader, pushed along and struggling 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
