mid-division, headway 3rd, lost place after 5th, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, effort when mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway on inside after 3rd, weaknened after 3 out
tracked winner, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, not able to challenge
made all, driven after 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on gamely
towards rear, pushed along after 4th, behind next, stayed on flat, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden before next, one pace flat
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3rd, lost place after 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
There has to be a question mark over recent course second Ronaldinho handling this extra half-mile but stablemate Pride In Battle has won over 2m3f and was second over a similar trip when returning from a lengthy absence at Doncaster. EARTHMOVES is unexposed and was always travelling best when landing a novice event at Taunton in November. He could probably have been given a few more pounds so can make a winning start in handicaps, though Volt Face looked like winning on his reappearance at Towcester until blowing up and Kieron Edgar's claim here is in his favour. Cadoudoff and the mare Blue Buttons also warrant respect, as does the selection's stable companion Provo.
Union Saint (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, headway before 2 out, led 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in May beating Canadian Diamond (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Volt Face (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 7th, challenging when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, lost 2nd and held towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Cafe Au Lait (10-9) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Chase The Wind (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Cadoudoff (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Disputed 2nd until definite 2nd 5th, led approaching 3 out, joined between last two, headed last, not pace of winnner flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Lightentertainment (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Blue Buttons (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, every chance 2 out, driven in 3rd between last two, no impression when weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 8l behind Kayfleur (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor, 9th of 10, 21l behind Batavir (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Earthmoves (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Gaelic Myth (10-12) by 4l, 13 ran.
Ronaldinho (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, driven flat, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Powerful Action (10-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Pride In Battle (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon hard ridden, stayed on to go 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Centasia (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Tracked leader to 4th, in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 38l behind Batavir (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Provo (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Led to 7th, chased winner after, 3 lengths down and ridden when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ardkilly Witness (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec '13, 5 ran.
