took keen hold in 3rd, went 2nd after 6th, soon challenging, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, bumped soon after last, stayed on, always being held
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, went 3rd after 7th, challenged 3 out, led going best next, edged slightly right after last, always doing enough, ridden out towards finish
led until after 4th, last after 7th, weakened approaching 4 out
Chain Of Command impressed when winning at Kempton and with that experience in the bag deserves respect, but giving weight away to QOZAK and Phidippides won't be easy with the former preferred. Connections bought the horse with chasing in mind so he did well to achieve so much over timber, even if a rating of 146 is flattering, and he's reportedly schooled nicely at home. The key factor in giving him the vote though is the ground which is likely to be very testing and perhaps won't suit Phidippides. He's also reported to be in good order and remains a nice prospect, but perhaps on quicker ground over two-and-a-half miles. Rock Noir was very keen on his first run of the season at Huntingdon but that may've taken the freshness out of him and he is respected, while Bathwick Quest will need four fallers to have any sort of chance on what we've seen.
Phidippides (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, not fluent 7th, mistake next, headway 9th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Wayward Prince (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Qozak (FR) 11-4fav (11-3) Raced wide, in touch, headway 3 out, effort next, soon ridden and one pace, 4 lengths down in 4th when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Trenchant (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Rock Noir (FR) 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked winner throughout, went clear with winner 4 out, every chance 2 out, not quicken between last 2, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Cockney Trucker (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Jumped big 1st, chased leader, hanging right after 3 out, continued to hang right under pressure and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, 14l behind Robain (10-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Chain Of Command (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up in rear, in touch, keen early, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, driven clear, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Sonning Star (11-2) by 3l, 7 ran.
