held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, pushed along chasing leaders 3 out, went 3rd between last two, stayed on same pace run-in
tracked leaders, led soon after 7th, not fluent next, headed 10th, chased leader, hit 4 out, led after 4 out until 3 out, chased winner until before 2 out, weakened soon after
held up in touch, steady headway in 4th approaching 10th, 3rd going well approaching 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, driven before the last, kept on same pace run-in
took keen hold, jumped left, tracked leader until led 2nd, jumped left next, stumbled badly and headed soon after 7th, mostly chased leader after, led again 10th, headed and weakened well before 3 out
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied on inside before 3 out, pushed along and held in 5th when fell 3 out
jumped left in early stages, held up last, steady headway on outside tracking leaders approaching 12th, 2nd travelling well after 4 out, led 3 out, went left next, 2 lengths ahead approaching last, driven out
raced wide, led until 2nd, chased leader, hit 5th and lost place, behind when jumped slowly 9th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out
POKER SCHOOL was two out of two over hurdles around here and got off the mark in a decent contest over fences at Ascot following a pipe-opener. Ian Williams’ six-year-old has been raised 8lb for that but there should be more to come and Richard Johnson takes over the reins from a conditional. San Benedeto is a strong traveller but doesn’t always find much off the bridle. Gold Present has more to do than when scoring at Doncaster but Sizing Tennessee is interesting now he’s had his sights lowered. Two Taffs lacks experience, however, and Max Ward and Remiluc were both well beaten last time after earlier wins.
San Benedeto (FR) 25-1 (11-8) 4th or 5th until reached at 10th and unseated rider, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leader until 9th, driven after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on front pair when jumped right last, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Whisper (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec.
Two Taffs (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, headway before 3 out, 7th of 13, 36 1/4l behind Kruzhlinin (10-13) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
Gold Present (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader from 1st, not fluent 3rd, bad mistake next, led 6th, clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Drumlee Lad (10-9) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Max Ward (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up last, outpaced when mistake 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Altior (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Poker School (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Held up and behind, in last trio after 10th, 9th and plenty to do after 3 out, headway on outside before 2 out, only 6th jumping 2 out, 2nd approaching the last, led soon after, clear in closing stages, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Dusky Lark (11-3) by 5l, 15 ran.
Remiluc (FR) 11-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 1st, disputing 3rd when mistake 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 11 3/4l behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
