pressed leader, led 6th, not fluent 8th and headed, losing place when pulled up quickly before 4 out
sweated freely, prominent, led briefly 8th, close up 4 out, ridden and lost place 3 out, well beaten 2 out, one pace last
in rear but in touch, headway to chase leaders 8th, close up 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out where not fluent, one pace from last
led narrowly, blundered 4th, headed 6th, reminders 7th and lost place, ridden in rear before 4 out, well beaten before 3 out, came home in own time
midfield, headway to chase leader 6th, led narrowly after 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up, headway on outside before 4 out where awkward, led narrowly 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly flat
A winner twice in France, Frero Banbou looked to be coming to hand when third at Exeter. Destined To Shine won at Uttoxeter in the autumn but didn’t run up to that form next time at Wetherby and then unseated his rider at Ffos Las. Captain Moirette almost certainly needed his run at Carlisle but has been a shade disappointing so far over fences. PISTOL PARK was never travelling last time at Chepstow but his best form is over this shorter trip. He has his ground again today and can’t get much lower in the weights. Equus Millar is preferred to Ball D'Arc of the others.
Ball D'Arc (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along and lost place before 4 out, 10th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Western Miller (10-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Frero Banbou (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Close up, led narrowly 5th, joined 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 9, 12 3/4l behind Saint De Vassy (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Destined To Shine (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) In rear, over jumped and rider unseated after 5 out, at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Captain Moirette (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden after 4 out, lost touch 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra, 4th of 5, 36 3/4l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Carlisle 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Pistol Park (FR) 17-2 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, never dangerous, 5th of 8, dist behind Supreme Escape (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Equus Millar (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Midfield, awkward 1st, mistake 2nd (water), ridden before 4 out, modest headway 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Saint De Vassy (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
