chased leaders, every chance 3 out, hard ridden next, no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, never on terms
held up in touch, headway 6th, weakened 4 out
prominent, led 2nd, set strong pace, reminders 8th, headed before 4 out, weakened next
held up in last, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last
chased leaders, every chance from 4 out and throughout run in, all out, just failed
led until 2nd, remained prominent, led again before 4 out, strongly challenged from 3 out and throughout run in, all out, held on gamely
NonRunner
NonRunner
Just Cameron is back for another crack having beaten Duke Of Navan in last year’s renewal and is taken to confirm running on better terms today. Bouvreuil returned to action with a course and distance success and is 5lb higher but LADY BUTTONS is the more progressive. She also scored over track and trip before going in again at Newbury and Philip Kirby’s mare is taken to defy a 9lb rise in her current form. Forest Bihan got no further than the third when falling behind the selection at Newbury while last month’s Ascot third Marracudja makes more appeal in this grade than course runner-up Cracking Find.
Forest Bihan (FR) 15-2 (11-13) Held up towards rear, knuckled on landing and fell 3rd (water), at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Bouvreuil (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Keen in touch, headway to track leaders 5th, went 2nd at last, shaken up and quickened to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Movie Legend (10-11) by 1l, 7 ran.
Just Cameron 5-1 (12-1) Led, clear with one other, reduced lead 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Bouvreuil (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Saint Leo (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, outpaced 2 out, soon no impression, last of 5, 19 1/4l behind Mister Whitaker (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Nov.
Marracudja (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Took keen hold in last pair, headway approaching 2 out, kept on into never nearer 3rd run-in, 3rd of 13, 4 1/4l behind Caid Du Lin (10-11) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Cracking Find (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Held up in last pair, headway on inside chasing leaders before 8th, switched to outside approaching 12th, 2nd before 4 out, every chance next, chased winner but well held between last 2, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Lady Buttons 5-2fav (11-3) Tracked leading pair, 2nd going well 9th, led on bit 3 out, in no danger after, allowed to run down the last, won at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Shear Rock (10-4) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader until 4th, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 16l behind Theflyingportrait (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
