tracked leader who went well clear after 2nd, lost 2nd from 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, 2nd briefly after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
mid-division, in chasing pack 3 out, weakened before next
held up, towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear flat, readily
always towards rear
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, in chasing pack, 2nd after 3 out until before next, no chance with front pair last, went 3rd flat
held up, in mid-division, ridden and struggling before 6th
well behind from 3rd
held up, in mid-division, headway before 3 out, led after 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace
led into start, in rear, well behind from 6th, stumbled and fell 3 out
led, drew well clear after 2nd, reduced lead before 2 out, headed just after hurdle, no chance with front pair last, lost 3rd flat
Brelan D'as is fascinating for the champion trainer as he was strongly supported on debut for the yard but pulled up and hasn't been seen since. That was back in February and it will be intriguing to see how the ex-French gelding performs on his handicap debut. He could well prove enticingly handicapped, especially with in-form Harry Cobden claiming 3lb. However, he's only run on ground with real cut so far and is an unknown quantity on quicker ground so BON ENFANT is preferred. The Greatrex gelding enjoyed a promising first year, handles forecast conditions and was far from disgraced in three competitive Sandown handicaps on his last three starts. Hopefully, he's ready to roll. Hint Of Mint, surely better than his reappearance run, is shortlisted along with in-form On Demand, consistent Spice Fair and Abidjan.
Zulu Oscar 2-5fav (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, soon pushed along and lost place, ridden after 4th, closed after 6th, driven along 3 out, led before last, in command towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (5) gf in May beating Key To Milan (11-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Abidjan (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tended to jump right, led until not fluent and headed 3rd, chased winner, went badly right and fell 12th, at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug.
Spice Fair 12-1 (10-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, dist behind Safira Menina (10-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Brelan D'As (FR) 15-8 (11-11) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Held up in 4th, went left and mistake 3rd, lost 4th place 5th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, lost touch soon after, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider last, at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Bon Enfant (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, brief rally between last two, weakened before the last, 7th of 17, 11 3/4l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Hint Of Mint 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, took keen hold, weakening when mistake 2 out, last of 12, 31 1/2l behind Sternrubin (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
McKenzie's Friend (IRE) 85-40 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge at ommited 3rd last, weakened after next, no chance winner, 2nd of 5, 31l behind Work In Progress (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f (3) gs in Feb.
First Fandango 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place before 5 out, 6th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Wizards Bridge (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Winning Spark (USA) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, soon edged left and no impression on winner, 4th last, one pace, 5th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Starchitect (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Honey Pound (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Steadied rear, some headway approaching 5th, weakened before next, last of 11, 37 1/4l behind Instant Karma (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Jul.
On Demand 11-10fav (10-2) Enterprisingly ridden, raced keenly, made all, clear after 3rd and maintained advantage, over 7 lengths clear when mistake last, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Antartica De Thaix (11-11) by 12l, 5 ran.
