behind, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat
chased leaders, led 4th, blundered and headed 5th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led after 2nd to 4th, left in lead 5th, headed 3 out, led again approaching 2out, driven out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place 3rd, rallied and hit 3 out, one pace flat
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear
keen, mid-division, headway 4th, weakened next
always behind
led, headed after 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
La Grande Villez is open to more improvement and can pay to support ahead of Dhehdaah, Prime Contender and Magic Sky. Alan King's horse's are running well at present, and we reckon that La Grande Villez can makethe leap to handicap success at the first time of asking. The French import did nothing wrong on his British debut at Fontwell in November, and with ground conditions to suit, can make light of his handicap mark. Dhehdaah ran out of steam up the Cheltenham hill last time but should go well despite having to give weight away to the selection, while Magic Sky also cam unstuck at Prestbury Park last time and has even more to do. Prime Contender will be all the better for his Ascot return, while stablemate Equilibria lines up off a fair weight and cannot be totally left out. However, La Grande Villez may have more scope and gets the vote accordingly.
Magic Sky (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 12, 12l behind O'Toole (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Dhehdaah 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 16, 19l behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Prime Contender 16-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear and keen, some headway 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 9th of 20, 14l behind Acambo (11-9) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Three Ships 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leader next, weakened before last, 6th of 13, 18l behind Sunisa (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Sarin 6-4fav (10-8) Held up, headway after 6th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 16, 15l behind Ellway Prospect (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
La Grande Villez (FR) 10-11fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, pecked 6th, led after 2 out, hit last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Valley Hall (10-10) by 6l, 10 ran.
Equilibria (USA) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 5l behind Templer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Le Corvee (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, 26l behind Private Be (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
