prominent on inner, led 3rd, clear from 3 out, comfortable
raced wide throughout, led, headed 3rd, chased winner, ridden 4 out, struggling from next, jumped left 2 out
tracked leaders, awkward 5th, beaten when blundered 3 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
in touch on inner, ridden 4 out, soon beaten and pulled up before next
close up, ridden 4 out, chased leading pair 3 out, soon beaten
in rear, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
NonRunner
HACKER DES PLACES looks the safest proposition despite carrying a penalty for an earlier win in France. He disappointed behind a lesser-fancied stablemate at Wincanton on his debut for Paul Nicholls’ yard but this return to testing ground will suit better and he’s well clear of Kings Creek on these terms. The latter won at Catterick recently with En Couleur back in third and Sir Charles Punch and Fahad well behind. El Jefe, Flight Command, Caldwell and Danger Money arrive from the Flat with the latter rated much higher than the others under that code having joined Donald McCain’s yard.
Hacker Des Places (FR) 4-9fav (11-4) Led, headed before 3rd, prominent, ridden to lead again soon after 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Viroflay (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Caldwell 13-2 (9-7) Pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders, 7th approaching halfway, pushed along again straight, soon one pace, 9th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Flor De La Luna (9-2) at Curragh 1m 4f mdn sft in Oct.
Danger Money 100-1 (9-5) Soon mid-division, 8th after halfway and pushed along, dropped to rear and no extra straight, last of 12, 24 3/4l behind Amma Grace (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f lst stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
El Jefe (IRE) 9-4fav (8-3) Keen in midfield, smooth headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left but ran on entering final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Motahassen (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Fahad 40-1 (10-12) Midfield, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 12th of 14, dist behind Kings Creek (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Flight Command (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Mid-division early, good progress to chase leaders on outer from halfway, pushed along to lead 2f out and ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct beating Slieve Bearnagh (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sir Charles Punch 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, untidy 4th and lost position, pushed along on home turn but never a threat, 7th of 14, 23 3/4l behind Kings Creek (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Spantik 13-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, kept on steadily inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Island Nation (9-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Kings Creek (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, raced wide, led 2 out, drew clear after last, easily, won at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Wise Eagle (10-12) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
En Couleur 5-1 (10-12) Held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, tracked leader 2 out, lost second on run-in, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Kings Creek (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Herbiers (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Made most until ridden and headed 5f out, outpaced 3f out, 7th of 14, dist behind Eileendover (10-5) at Huntingdon 1m 6f (5) gd in Nov.
