mid-division, ridden and dropped out rapidly home turn, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, never involved
prominent throughout, headway under pressure 3 out, challenged leader 2 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well run-in, all out
chased leader, pushed along and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along and weakened 3 out
held up, headway off pace 3 out, could not go pace of leaders 2 out, stayed on strongly from last
mid-division, ridden and outpaced home turn, never in contention
mid-division, ridden to make headway tracking leader 3 out, every chance 2 out when not fluent, kept on from last, never going pace of winner
always in rear, struggling throughout, pulled up 3 out
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, weakened 3 out
led, increased tempo home turn, pressed 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra final 100 yards
Trans Express won this last year, his fifth course triumph, but runs this year suggest he is not the force of old. Tom Scudamore prefers MARTINHAL (NAP) to Eamon An Cnoic and the top weight can make it 3-3 around here after a pipe-opener in a higher grade at Aintree. Birds Of Prey could be a danger as fitness is unlikely to be an issue while Champagne Court has been running well. Investment Manager was just beaten at Chepstow after winning at Newton Abbot and Guernesey hasn’t done a lot wrong since successful here in October, though probably prefers quicker ground. Deeper Blue is unexposed but this is not an easy introduction to handicaps.
Martinhal (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost position over 2 out and soon held, 9th of 13, dist behind Tamar Bridge (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Birds Of Prey (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Mar beating All Yours (9-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Champagne Court (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Pressed leader, led before 2 out, soon headed, one pace in 4th flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Jesuitique (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) In rear, jumped slowly and reminder 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 6th, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
Dan McGrue (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, challenged after 4th, led and mistake 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened final bend, pulled up before last, at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in May.
West To The Bridge (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, made some headway from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Champagne Well (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Deeper Blue (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, went third 3 out, pushed along and briefly pressed leader 2 out, kept on but soon left behind by easy winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Stage Star (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Guernesey (FR) 4-1 (11-4) In rear, headway on wide outside to chase front rank before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, hit last, chased leader run-in, stayed on well, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Highway One O Two (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Pol Crocan (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Hampered start, soon tracked leaders, pushed along and soon weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Hunters Call (11-8) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Investment Manager 3-1jfav (11-9) Chased clear leader, closed final bend, led after 3 out, pressed last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Kenyan Cowboy (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Trans Express (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 4th, headed next, lost place before 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Go Steady (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
