chased leader, ridden along after 8th, driven before 4 out, soon challenging, led 2 out, looked in control last, driven out to hold on close home
tracked leading trio, slow 9th, driven before 4 out, soon no impression, left modest 3rd 3 out
took keen hold, held up last, mistake 11th, smooth headway approaching 4 out, close 3rd and travelling well when fell 3 out
led until headed before 4 out, weakened soon after, left poor 4th next
tracked leading pair, led narrowly approaching 4 out, strongly presssed when blundered and headed 2 out, hung left nbefore last, rallied under pressure close home, always just held
DIAMOND BROOK was all out to win on his chase debut after the departure of Rougham and Celestial Halo but moves into handicap company on a realistic mark and should improve. Remarkably, it's the second time that a race has been handed to him at Exeter but this promising chaser can pick up this prize on merit. Restezen D'armor ran well on his chase debut but is now tried in headgear following three narrow defeats in his last four starts. Double Chocolate may fare better dropped in trip but Cantabilly faces no easy task on his chase bow and nor does Russian Song but the latter is, at least, bred for this game and it would be no surprise to see him go well.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear in 4th, left close up 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden approaching last, edged right run-in, just held on, won at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gd in Oct beating Jocheski (11-2) by hd, 5 ran.
Cantabilly (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 13, 29l behind Thelobstercatcher (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, not fluent 8th, headway after 11th, chased winner 2 out, soon hung left, every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Deuteronomy (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Double Chocolate 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, tracked leaders 7th, ridden to chase leading pair after 13th until 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 44l behind Major Malarkey (11-11) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Russian Song (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) In touch, mistake 4th, not fluent 10th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Midas Way (11-0) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
