held up in rear and keen, ridden and one pace from 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up in touch, took keen hold, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, led briefly before 3 out, ridden before next, kept on from last, always held
with winner, jumped slow 2nd and reminders, weakened from 4 out
made most, headed briefly before 3 out, ridden after last, kept on strongly flat
held up towards rear on inside, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after
tracked leaders, ridden and chance 2 out, no extra from last
held up in touch, headway to challenge 4 out, outpaced next, ridden before 2 out, kept on
held up towards rear and not fluent, tracked leaders approaching 4th, jumped slow and lost place 4th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, fell next
Sam Winner has won both starts in the UK with a bit in hand and it would be no surprise to see him go on to complete his hat-trick here. However, we were mightily impressed with another French import, SMAD PLACE, when he trounced Dolatulo by 27 lengths at Newbury and Alan King's grey is taken to follow up in this higher grade. Marsh Warbler won at Bangor and Sedgefield in November but looks to have a bit to find with Sam Winner on a line through Market Rasen winner Pullyourfingerout and just as interesting is Houblon Des Obeaux, who was placed twice in good company at Enghien in the autumn and will love the ground.
Dolatulo (FR) 1-4fav (11-8) Led at good pace, mistake and headed 3rd, led again next, not fluent 4 out, ridden after 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, soon weakened and no chance with very easy winner, hit last, 2nd of 9, 27l behind Smad Place (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 14, 10l behind Rajdhani Express (10-5) at Enghien(FR) 2m 1f hdl hvy in Oct.
Kalamill (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Stumbled badly 1st, mid-division, driven 3 out, one pace and no impression before next, 6th of 15, 35l behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Marsh Warbler 2-9fav (11-2) Made all, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Al Dafa (11-7) by 9l, 5 ran.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracking leaders when carried right 1st, effort 3 out, soon hard ridden, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Marsh Warbler (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sam Winner (FR) 4-7fav (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, soon clear, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Pullyourfingerout (11-3) by 6l, 12 ran.
Smad Place (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, steady headway to chase leading pair after 4 out, taken to outside to chase leader after 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly from last, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Dolatulo (11-8) by 27l, 9 ran.
Flighty Frances (IRE) 3-1 (8-2) Went right start, held up towards rear, ridden along 4f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Whistleinthewind (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol in Oct (flat).
