chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until 3 out, stayed on same pace
with winner until 2nd, mistake and unseated rider next
reluctant to race early, in rear, closed 4th, lost place 7th, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
made all, clear 3rd, hit 6th, reduced lead last, ridden out
held up, not fluent 6th, well beaten when jumped left and mistake 4 out
chased leaders, reluctant and dropped to last 3rd, virtually refused to race and pulled up before 4th
chased leaders, left 2nd 3rd until 6th, went 2nd again 3 out, closed on winner when jumped left and mistake last, no impression, lost 2nd close home
Windspiel has run poorly either side of a second to Kupatana at Kempton. Trigger Nichol and Lord Marmaduke are both jumping fences for the first time in public but Early Du Lemo looked to be finally getting the hang of things last time at Newbury. New Millennium is the most experienced of these but has gone off the boil since winning at Fontwell in the autumn, though is starting to slip down the weights again. Midnight Chill is two from two over fences and has only gone up 4lb since Catterick but something may have been amiss with OTTER MOON at Taunton last month. He led for a long way in better company at Chepstow previously and this fast ground will suit.
Otter Moon 8-1 (11-0) Behind, struggling and pulled up before 4 out, at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Early Du Lemo (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Led and soon clear, reduced lead before 4 out, joined when mistakes 3 out and next, mistake and headed last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Another Crick (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Midnight Chill 11-10fav (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent and reminder 4th, led before next, headed 4 out, led before next, went right and headed last, stayed on, led again towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Halcyon Days (11-1) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
New Millennium (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Led until 4th, chased winner until hit 4 out and ridden, chased leaders, modest 3rd when mistake next, dropped to 4th last strides, 4th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Sir Egbert (12-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Trigger Nichol (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Behind, raced wide, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led 2 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Zamoyski (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Lord Marmaduke 16-1 (11-10) Close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 12th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Daydream Aulmes (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Windspiel (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, ridden in 5th 12th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Cuddles Mcgraw (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
