chased leaders, smooth progress on inside to lead 2 out, strongly challenged last, idled closing stages, held on well (1 fence omitted)
in lead when mistake and slithered on landing 1st, soon pulled up
tracked leader, mistake 3rd, slow 6th, mistake next, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, kept on under pressure closing stages
tracked leader, hard driven to challenge before 2 out, weakened before last
left in lead 1st, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last
NonRunner
SHANTOU ROCK takes no prisoners and goes well fresh. If he gets into a rhythm, Dan Skelton’s front-runner could take some catching on ground that suits. Ink Master is race-fit and was in good form prior to falling when chasing the winner last time at Wetherby. Champagne At Tara won easily at Aintree in June and followed up off an 8lb higher mark at Uttoxeter in July. He has a further 9lb rise to overcome here but has come on in leaps and bounds. Garde La Victoire made a promising reappearance at Chepstow and the drop back to 2m will help but Vosne Romanee had his limitations exposed at Cheltenham and this may also be too tough for Rock On Rocky.
Vosne Romanee 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, slow 6th and dropped to last, outpaced 8th, soon well behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Shantou Rock (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, pushed along before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Champagne At Tara 5-2jfav (11-7) Held up, headway going well before 3 out, led before last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Bandsman (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Rock On Rocky 50-1 (10-4) Prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Silver Streak (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Ink Master (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge on outside 4 out, ridden after next, 2 lengths down in 2nd when fell 2 out, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Garde La Victoire (FR) 4-1jfav (11-7) Tracked leader, led and hit 3rd, hit next, headed 4 out, chased leader until next, kept on same pace in 3rd, pecked last, weakened into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Charbel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
