tended to jump right, pressed leader, led 5th, made rest, driven before 2 out, pressed between last 2, kept on gamely to assert and went right last, driven out
led until 5th, chased winner, reminders after 11th, driven and lost 2nd 4 out, chased leading pair until hit 3 out, rallied to poor 3rd flat
chased leading pair until outpaced before 12th, modest 3rd and pushed along after 3 out, no chance with leading duo, weakened to poor 4th flat
tracked leading pair, headway 11th, chased winner 4 out, tried to challenge between last 2, went right and no impression last
This race is as difficult to call as the charity Space Hopper Derby in aid of Children In Need which also takes place at the course today. Last year's winner PORTRAIT ROYALE is selected to repeat the feat. She ran well last season and having run decently at Uttoxeter last month she looks set to pick up where she left off on ground that she is proven on. Orion Star is rated 6lb higher following success at Plumpton and may struggle to follow up as he generally prefers quicker ground than this. Romney Marsh should be fit and ready off the back of races at Fontwell and Towcester, whilst You Can Of Course has the advantage of bottom weight on testing ground but Portrait Royale is our image of the most likely winner.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Heezagrey (9-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Oct.
Orion Star (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) With leader, jumped right throughout, mistake 3rd, led approaching 6th, strongly challenged when not fluent 2nd last, stayed on gamely under pressure, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating Sailor's Sovereign (10-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Romney Marsh 6-1 (10-2) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 11th, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Aztec Treasure (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (4) gs.
You Can of Course (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 12, 9l behind Bernard (10-13) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gs.