held up, took keen hold, fluent 4th, mistake next, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, mistake last
held up in rear, pushed along briefly 5th, mistake next, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
fell 1st
disputed lead 1st, prominent, lost place after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
slightly hampered 1st, tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon every chance, weakened last, edged right flat
took keen hold, led to 3rd, led approaching 4th, headed before 6th, led again before 3 out, edged left between last 2, went left and not fluent last, soon hung left, stayed on
prominent, led 3rd, headed before next, led again approaching 6th until before 3 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along approaching 4th, struggling after 6th, stayed on past beaten horses closing stages, never dangerous
held up in rear, some headway after 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, headway 4th, went 3rd before 3 out, blundered 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
Nonrunner
The penalised Kilshannig is the obvious starting point, Darfour and Sona Sasta are of interest but preference is for GUYDUS. Venetia Williams has been a profitable trainer to follow in the lead up to Christmas over recent years and there are reasons for believing that there may be more to come from her son of Old Vic. He has shown the best of his modest form on heavy ground, had a satisfactory run around here last time and looks open to improvement over this longer trip. Kilshannig needed every ounce of McCoy's strength and determination to prevail on good ground at Southwell for which he carries a 7lb penalty. That burden is reduced by his conditional but the Southwell race was a modest one and he has to prove himself on ground as testing as this. Darfour made a satisfactory start for his new yard at Kempton and is unexposed over obstacles. He's worth a market check but this half-brother to Chivalry is far from certain to be suited by the demands of this test. Irish point winner Sona Sasta showed a modest level of ability in three starts last term and it would be no great surprise to see him improve for the switch to handicapping over this longer trip. He could be the most interesting alternative to the selection, Guydus.
Darfour 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, struggling 2 out, mistake last, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 16l behind Akram (11-6) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Nov.
Cricket Boy 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, no further progress 2 out, 4th of 16, 32l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Guydus (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Chased winner to 2nd, stayed close up until ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 21l behind San Marino (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Daarth 22-1 (10-0) In rear, reminder after 3rd, jumped slowly 6th, behind next, 12th of 13, 28l behind Bonikos (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Vic's World (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, headway 4th, ridden and weakened after next, 9th of 14, 45l behind Miss Phoebe (10-2) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf in Jun.
French Leave (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, led approaching 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 22l behind Wise Men Say (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Saint Espiegle (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 30l behind Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Free To Air 18-1 (11-2) Always behind, 9th of 14, 36l behind Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Lansdowne Princess 6-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner after next, 2 lengths down and ridden when not fluent last, kept on flat, held up towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Lupita (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 8th, 6th of 12, 31l behind Raise You Five (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Kilshannig (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, took closer order 7th, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating She Is A Cracker (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sona Sasta (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 24l behind Carrickboy (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
