mid division, mistake 1st, pushed along and struggling from 6 out, late headway for 4th
always in rear, pulled up after 5 out
mid division, pushed along to make headway 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well flat, driven out
held up, struggling towards rear 6 out, tailed off
chased leader, not fluent 11th, took it up when mistake by leader by 6 out, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened last
always towards rear, never involved
mid division, ridden and outpaced 5 out, tailed off
mid division, not fluent 11th, pushed along from 5 out, headway 3 out, soon outpaced by leaders, stayed on well from last
led, headed when mistake and almost unseated rider 6 out, every chance when ridden 2 out, held on for gallant 2nd run-in
Bomber's Moon is now 0-21 having only finished fourth on his belated chasing bow here 12 days ago but Abbey Street got off the mark at the 18th attempt at Fontwell. Dell Oro is 34lb lower than for his only win over fences but that was almost three years ago. Duc Kauto has won around here but has been out of sorts for a while and stamina may be an issue. We’ll take a chance on PRIMAL FOCUS, who has won over this trip and should be competitive in a race like this off a mark of 92. Shanroe Smooch and Black Centaur can also make their presence felt.
Black Centaur (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) In touch, not fluent 13th, pushed along before 3 out (usual 4 out), struggling when jumped left 2 out, lost third approaching last (usual 2 out), 4th of 5, dist behind Abbey Street (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Dell Oro (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, faded approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Neverbeen To Paris (11-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Primal Focus (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Well off the pace in 8th, tailed off pulled up in home straight, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Duc Kauto (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 12th and lost places, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Grove Ash 18-1 (11-8) Raced keenly, led after 1st, not fluent 2nd, headed after 8th, lost place 12th, soon behind, 7th of 10, 34 1/2l behind Head On (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Bomber's Moon 4-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 4 out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 8, 13l behind Jony Max (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
Abbey Street (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Mostly jumped well, led, hit 16th, pushed along approaching last (usual 2 out), ridden flat, stayed on well, gamely, won at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Uallrightharry (12-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Canada Kid 40-1 (11-0) Mid division, mistake 1st, pushed along and struggling home turn, tailed off, 11th of 17, dist behind Fairlawn Flyer (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Shanroe Smooch (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Led, headed home turn, ridden before 2 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Movethechains (10-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
