raced wide, chased leaders, led 7th until 2 out, chased winner, over 1 length down and held last, stayed on same pace run-in
chased leaders, went 2nd at 3rd, led narrowly 2 out, over 1 length ahead last, stayed on run-in, driven out
chased leaders on inside, lost place and pushed along after 3rd, rallied on inside from 2 out, modest 3rd no chance with leading duo
with leader, bumped 1st, led next until 7th, chased leading pair, one pace and no impression when mistake 2 out, weakened into 4th run-in
led mistake 1st, hit next and headed, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened 7th, tailed off
always in rear, pushed along and outpaced after 6th, left in modest 5th 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up tracking leaders, pushed along after 6th, close enough in 4th when blundered 3 out, pulled up quickly
held up in last pair, ridden and no impression when left in 4th place 3 out, weakened run-in
This is the track’s big race of the year and it sees LIL ROCKERFELLER trying to reprise his victory of two years ago when he beat Ubak nine lengths. The runner-up is only a couple of pounds better off and Neil King’s stable star is something of a specialist over this trip despite a brilliant run in the World Hurdle last year. Heavy ground was a legitimate excuse for Old Guard in the Relkeel Hurdle last time while the return to a longer trip might suit Clyne. Air Horse One has every chance of reversing Cheltenham running in November with Old Guard on these terms and arrives off the back of a solid effort at Ascot but this looks a big ask for novice Dr Des.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Raced on inner, chased leading pair, pushed along final circuit, ridden before 3 out, 2nd briefly under pressure after 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Sam Spinner (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Old Guard 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 8, 9l behind Wholestone (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Air Horse One 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway on outside after 7th, chased leaders next, 3rd going well after 3 out, upsides and every chance when mistake 2 out, 2nd between last 2, hung right run-in, not recover, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Jenkins (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Clyne 7-2 (11-4) In touch and in rear, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened run-in, last of 4, 13 1/4l behind The New One (11-10) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Dr Des (IRE) 4-7fav (11-10) Made all, clear before 4 out, ridden before last, held on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb beating Voie Dans Voie (11-4) by 6l, 9 ran.
Norman The Red 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, went right 9th, every chance well before omitted 3 out, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 12, 26l behind Beer Goggles (11-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Ubak (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Chased leader until pushed along before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before last, 6th of 17, 8l behind Topofthegame (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Value At Risk 15-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 7, 27 1/2l behind Casse Tete (10-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
