mid-division, short lived effort after 7th
towards rear, stumbled 2nd, ridden approaching 7th, stayed on from 2 out
led until 5th, with leader, went left 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, went 4th approaching last, never troubled leaders
in touch, hit 4th, ridden after 7th, kept on same pace
tracked leader, joined leader 4th, led 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied briefly flat, no extra close home
towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 6th, ridden and weakened after next
mid-division, reminders 4th, soon behind
mid-division, ridden and effort after 7th, kept on same pace
mid-division, jumped right 2nd, headway 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out
hit 1st, chased leaders until weakened after 7th
held up and always towards rear
in touch, hit 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace when hit 2 out
always in touch, took closer order 7th, led approaching last, stayed on well, pushed out
always behind, tailed off from 6th
Assoon, Pardon What and Le Rochelais are the three for the shortlist here and preference is for Le Rochelais. Assoon hails from the in-form Gary Moore yard and put a disappointing run at Huntingdon behind him when scoring at Plumpton last time. He had to be hard ridden though and this looks more competitive. Pardon What has won two of his last three starts and is clearly in good heart. He was strongly ridden to win last time and may have to wait before resuming winning ways. Le Rochelais is still a maiden in six starts but there was a lot to like about the way he shaped first time out at Cheprstow. He finished fourth and can be expected to come on for the run. Robert Alner's Le Rochelais is the selection.
Le Rochelais (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 26l behind In Accord (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy.
Pardon What 9-1 (11-9) Behind, plenty to do 2 out, stayed on well to lead final 75 yards, won at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov beating Putup Or Shutup (11-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden 6th, blundered and pulled up 3 out in race won by Water King (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs in Nov, 24 ran.
Chanticlier 10-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Keepers Mead (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft, 14 ran.
Assoon 3-1fav (11-8) Raced wide in touch, driven along from 8th, chased leading pair soon after 3 out, challenged next, hard ridden last, driven to lead flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f clm hdl (F) gd in Nov beating Bekstar (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kadam (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader, lost place 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Free Gift (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd.
Dream Merchant (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, headway 4th, weakened after next, 11th of 17, 29l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Batswing 10-1 (11-4) Led to 4th, remained handy until weakened 8th, soon tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Assoon (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f clm hdl (F) gd in Nov.
Honey's Gift 13-2 (11-6) In touch until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 30l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
M'Lord 5-2fav (11-9) Held up last, hampered 2nd, headway 6th, led briefly 8th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Magot De Grugy (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Galaxy Sam (USA) 20-1 (11-1) Held up, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Florida Dream (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd, 12 ran.
Alpha Gamble (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) In touch, headway 8th, chased leading pair from 2 out, in 6th place when pulled up at the last in race won by Pardon What (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Maximinus 40-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden from 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, left 3rd at last, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Lord Nellsson (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov.
Silkwood Top (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Toulouse-Lautrec (11-0) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Galant Eye (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Keepers Mead (11-4) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft.
