2nd until 1st, tracked leaders in very slow run race, challenged 7th, fell next
tracked leaders in very slow run race, slightly hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, well held 2 out, closed without threatening flat
set very slow pace, headed 4th, ridden after 3 out, edged left after 2 out, led before not fluent last, edged left flat, driven out
took keen hold, tracked leader in very slow run race, led 4th, quickened pace after 6th, pushed along before 2 out, headed approaching last, still, every chance flat, held towards finish
After winning at Newton Abbot and Ludlow in October, Drinks Interval was probably a bit out of her depth in a Class 2 event at Newbury but she should have every chance in a race like this with James Bowen taking off a handy 5lb. Speedalong ran well upped to this trip at Warwick in April but hasn’t been seen since. Shadow's Boy is starting to look a little exposed but has yet to finish out of the frame under Rules. ALLEZ JACQUES left previous form behind when only beaten a head in a maiden at Uttoxeter and any further improvement could see him take this as Vivant needs to find some consistency.
Drinks Interval 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 28 1/2l behind Cap Soleil (10-12) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Allez Jacques (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along and slightly outpaced after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 15, hd behind Indian Hercules (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Shadow's Boy 16-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 8th, ridden and disputing 3rd before 3 out, one pace 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Dandy Dan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Speedalong (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, steady headway approaching 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, led 2 out, joined last, ridden and headed run-in, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Abbotswood (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Vivant (10-5) at Pau 2m 1f in Dec.