tracked leader, took keen hold, hit 3rd, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
always last, mistakes 2nd and 4th, ridden 5th, lost touch next, tailed off
led, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace last
tracked leaders, raced wide in backstraight both times, led 3 out, ridden out
held up in 4th, not fluent 3rd, closed 6th, upsides next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
All The Aces was a decent performer on the Flat and has taken well to hurdles, winning at Newbury at the end of December. He got outpaced behind Montbazon over 2m1f at the same track last Saturday so this longer trip may suit, though his breeding suggests otherwise. We prefer the claims of NAGPUR, who took a long time to get his act together but followed up a surprise win at Lingfield with an even better effort at Fontwell and is now improving at a rate of knots. Sydney Paget has won at Bangor and Ayr and is yet to finish out of the first two under Rules. But he has to concede 4lb and upwards here to his rivals in this better race and the mare Golden Gael had her limitations exposed in a handicap at Cheltenham last time.
All The Aces (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along briefly after 5th, closed 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out, no impression, mistake last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Montbazon (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Barry The Barber (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 12f out, headed over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind God Of The Kop (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan.
Nagpur (FR) 4-1 (12-4) Prominent, led before 2 out, clear after last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating Amirico (11-8) by 7l, 7 ran.
Golden Gael 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 5th, lost place 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 13, 35l behind Bally Legend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Stagecoach Danman (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, tracked leader, dived at 2nd, lost 2nd 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Ranjaan (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Sydney Paget (IRE) 1-2fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Higgs Boson (11-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
