pressed leader, led 9th until 12th, not fluent 4 out, beaten 2 out, one pace
in rear, not fluent 14th or 15th, struggling next, headway 2 out, no extra final 50 yards
not always fluent in rear, slow 8th, well beaten 4 out, stayed on but no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, lost place before 2 out
held up in mid-division on inside, well in touch when mistake 4 out, shaken up after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, mistake 16th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd last, hung left flat, no impression on winner
led until 1st, chased leaders, slow 2nd, lost place 6th, headway 14th, 3rd and no impression on winner flat, lost 3rd towards finish
rear of mid-division on outside, hit 18th, soon weakened
led 1st until 9th, led 12th, headed 2 out, weakened flat
NonRunner
NonRunner
No-one would begrudge Spiritofthegames a first win since October 2018 after another brave run in a Grade 3 here last time but CAP DU NORD is only a pound higher than when landing the Coral Trophy at Kempton last season and he’s run up to a similar level of form the last twice. Secret Reprieve was beaten eight lengths by Farinet at Chepstow last month but is 10lb better off so there shouldn’t be much between the pair today. Java Point finished ahead of the selection over a shorter trip last time at Newbury so also warrants a second look, though he was beaten by Switch Hitter at the same track last April. Poppa Poutine probably has a bit to prove in this company but The Wolf goes well here and can be forgiven last month’s run at Aintree.
Farinet (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Made all, jumped well, pushed along after 5 out, cleared away 4 out, stayed on strongly and went further ahead from 2 out, eased on long run-in, comfortably, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Secret Reprieve (10-4) by 8l, 10 ran.
Itchy Feet (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leader, lost place approaching 4 out, made no impression from next, last of 4, 12l behind Hitman (11-11) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
The Wolf (FR) 14-1 (11-5) In rear, hit 6th, well behind 15th, 13th of 22, dist behind Ashtown Lad (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Easysland (FR) 66-1 (11-11) Led, headed after 1st, ridden 15th, weakened before 4 out, last of 10, dist behind Fontaine Collonges (11-1) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up behind leaders on inside, headway 13th, went 2nd last, edged right and every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Eva's Oskar (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Rapper 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, headway and stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 11 1/4l behind Fontaine Collonges (11-1) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Front mid-division, went 4th 12th, headway into 2nd 5 out, soon pushed along, jumped right 4 out, chased leader in clear 2nd from after 3 out, kept on, no match for easy winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Farinet (10-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Java Point (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Raced out wide, chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, went modest 3rd at the last, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 13 1/4l behind Zanza (11-8) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Poppa Poutine (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led, headed 1st, close up, pushed along before 3 out, ridden to challenge next, every chance last, stayed on to lead flat, headed final 50yds, 2nd of 9, hd behind No Cruise Yet (10-2) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Off the pace in rear, towards rear when hampered 10th, some late minor headway, never involved, 5th of 10, 17l behind Zanza (11-8) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Minella Bobo (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Handy when fell 2nd, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Found On (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leader, jumped right 2nd, led next, headed 7th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, pulled up next, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f lst fll (1) hvy in Nov.
Switch Hitter (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Led 2nd, soon headed, chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 8, dist behind Eva's Oskar (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
