tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, some headway approaching 2 out, never troubled leaders
held up in touch, struggling before 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to lead last, ran on
led, headed after 3 out, led again next, headed last, kept on under pressure
tracked leader, lost place 3rd, ridden appoaching 6th, soon beaten
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
The shortlist contains Jupon Vert, Wages and Celtic Legend, with the vote going to Jupon Vert. Just two pounds above his course and distance winning mark from Boxing Day - and still conceivably well-weighted based on older form - Jupon Vert gets the vote here. Wages carries a seven-pounds penalty for an emphatic Towcester win and, although he comes here in good heart, that was not the strongest of races. Celtic Legend is six pounds above his winning Wetherby mark but holds claims, but it's nearly two years since Just A Touch won, and he has been off for nearly half of that spell. Madison de Vonnas is lightly-raced and making his chasing debut, so watch the market. Now four pounds well-in based on his Musselburgh win last time, Upswing has to be afforded some respect, although he has yet to win a race, and the other pair are hard to build strong cases for. For the selection, then, we return to Jupon Vert.
Madison de Vonnas (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, joined leader 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 9, 11l behind Into The Shadows (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
Wages 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 9th, led on bit last, pushed clear, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Avadi (11-2) by 15l, 13 ran.
Celtic Legend (FR) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Bohemian Spirit (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Just A Touch 3-1 (11-12) In touch until weakened quickly before 4 out, last of 5, well behind Barton Nic (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft.
Jupon Vert (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 5th until after 13th, soon ridden, one pace from next, 6th of 12, 14l behind First De La Brunie (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs (4) sft.
Upswing 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 8th, every chance until blundered last, not recover, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Word Gets Around (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf.
Major Belle (FR) 16-1 (10-5) rear, effort 3 out, held in 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Jupon Vert (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Polish Pilot (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Led, headed after 1st, remained close up until ridden and weakened 7th, 5th of 10, well behind Jolly Boy (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
