tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th, bumped 12th, led last, driven out
mid-division, headway 6th, one pace in 3rd from 4 out, weakened last
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway 6th, one pace in 4th from 4 out, weakened before last
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, held towards finish
chased leader until 5th, lost place after 9th, ridden 15th, not fluent 17th, well beaten next
held up in rear, shaken up 16th, behind 18th
held up in rear, not fluent 12th, went 5th 18th, never in contention and well beaten when fell 2 out
Dragon D'Estruval is very interesting in this as he hasn’t run badly in a couple of starts over fences in this country. He ran in a void race at Sandown last month which has already produced a winner and this is probably a little easier. It’s hard to place much faith in the once-useful Aubusson nowadays and Rolling Dylan has disappointed this term but the latter’s yard also run DIPLOMATE SIVOLA. A winner twice under Rules under owner David Maxwell, he’s been dropped 2lb since finding Quarenta too strong at Fontwell. Another Stowaway gets cheekpieces but Marble Moon may be in the handicapper’s grip and this sharp track may not suit Irish Octave.
Dragon D'Estruval (FR) 8-1 (11-13) Held up, ridden 3 out, some late headway, never a factor, 5th of 13, 13l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders to 5 out, never able to get back on terms, 7th of 15, 20 3/4l behind Easysland (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Diplomate Sivola (FR) 7-4 (11-0) Bit keen, led, bit slow at 15th, urged along after 4 out, shaken up before 2 out, joined last, headed and unable to quicken run-in, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Quarenta (11-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Another Stowaway (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place before 7th, well behind 15th, last of 9, dist behind Roll Again (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Aubusson (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, lost place after 7th, hampered next, soon in rear, detached when pulled up before 12th, at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Marble Moon (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 30 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Irish Octave (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 10th, outpaced from 12th, no impression after, 5th of 8, 11 1/4l behind For Good Measure (11-5) at Warwick 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
