prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd close home
prominent, chased leaders 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 3 out
in touch, headway 7th, chased leader 8th, led briefly approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden and weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out
led to 6th, ridden and weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, with leader 4th, led after 6th, ridden before 8th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, eased flat
held up last, some headway 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
always towards rear, not fluent and reminder 6th, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
Monsieur Villez looks to have been found a good opportunity by David Pipe and can take this stayers' contest ahead of Raki Rose and Just Smudge. It's a very poor race and Monsieur Villez should be up to the task after being just pipped over 2m 4f at Taunton on fast ground last time. Cut is not a problem for the former French-trained runner, and despite going up 3lb he still looks capable of taking this. Raki Rose will get every yard and more of the trip and also acts on soft ground. He was runner up to Lyster at Hereford in October and a repeat effort would see him as the most serious threat. Little else truly makes much appeal as a winner on what we have seen, but Just Smudge showed enough last time at Ludlow to suggest that he can make the frame here. Our choice though is Monsieur Villez.
Barton Legend 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 18, 5l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Opal Ridge 150-1 (10-5) In lead when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Merchent Paddy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Clifden Boy (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Theatre Girl (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Just Smudge 7-1 (10-9) Led, hit 3 out, headed when stumbled 2 out, weakened, 4th of 12, 9l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Raki Rose 5-1 (11-3) Led and keen, headed 2nd, led again 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, not clear run on bend approaching last, soon weakened, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Lyster (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Monsieur Villez (FR) 9-1 (10-0) Led, ridden after 7th, hard pressed from 2 out, kept on, caught final stride, 2nd of 7, shd behind Dicey Dancer (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Nov.
Farmer Brent (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 8th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Festival Flyer (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
See More Jock 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 3rd, ridden 8th, one pace, 4th of 8, 21l behind Festival Flyer (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Rudivale (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Jumped left and pecked 1st, soon led and clear, ran freely, headed 3 out when mistake and weakened, 9th of 15, 29l behind Planet of Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Kandora 150-1 (10-5) Always behind, never on terms, 10th of 14, 40l behind Cryptic (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bartercard (USA) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression, 9th of 14, 34l behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
