tracked leaders, led before 5 out, driven clear last, stayed on strongly
in touch, chased leaders 5th, slow next, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, slow 8th, never dangerous, modest 4th
in touch, headway 5th, chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching 2 out
behind, slow 2nd, jumped right in places, under pressure 7th, soon beaten, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
led until approaching 5 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, ridden to challenge after 3 out, kept on same pace after next
always in rear, beaten 8th, tailed off
BENNYS KING only had to be pushed out to beat favourite Pop Rockstar at Chepstow and make a winning start for Dan Skelton. He’s been raised 6lb for that but can give the weight away to Wetherby winner Miles To Milan, who has gone up 4lb. Pookie Pekan drops back in trip after being well beaten over 3m here last time but the Wetherby winner is up against more progressive types in this. L'Es Fremantle is more than 2st out of the handicap and Spencer Lea will probably need this with the others also best watched at present.
Bennys King (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, led briefly 5th, led 8th to 9th, led 5 out, shaken up approaching last, driven out flat, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Pop Rockstar (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Cake de L'Isle (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after next, 8th of 13, dist behind Count Meribel (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Cave Top (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent 5th, mistake 10th, challenged 12th until 3 out, not fluent 4 out, weakened and lost 3rd before last, 6th of 10, 26 1/4l behind Ballyhill (11-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Miles To Milan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 13th, 3rd next, ridden to challenge last, led run-in, stayed on, driven out, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Bafana Blue (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Spencer Lea 20-1 (11-1) Held up, headway tracking leaders 7th, went right 9th, ridden between last two, 4th and one pace run-in, took modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Cusheen Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Real Warrior (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Close up in 2nd, jumped badly right and pecked 2nd, lost 2nd place from 5th, pulled up after 6th, at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Pookie Pekan (IRE) 4-6fav (12-5) Close up in rear, headway to track leaders 11th, ridden 4 out, jumped right and went poor 2nd at last, 2nd of 5, 18l behind Houndscourt (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
L'Es Fremantle (FR) 8-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, led next, soon ridden, joined last, headed flat, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Helium (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
