made all, 8 lengths clear after 3rd, driven when challenged 2 out, ran on strongly
prominent, effort 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, under pressure 2 out, soon lost place
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, every chance when hit last, no extra closing stages
mid-division, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when blundered last, never able to challenge
held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, never a factor
held up, headway on inside 3 out, mistake next, kept on same pace
Strongpoint made a successful raid over from Ireland to land this prize in 2014 and finished runner-up off today's mark last year to the useful Ruacana. But he's up against the progressive ARISTO DU PLESSIS this time round and the latter may well shrug off a hike in the weights having returned an easy winner over track and trip last month with Silver Duke well beaten. Zaidiyn picked up the winning thread at Haydock last time but this is tougher but Upsilon Bleu can race off a lower mark back over hurdles and makes more appeal than Pearl Castle and Captain Brown. Frederic ended last season with a couple of poor efforts but remains unexposed and capable of better this year.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, soon clear, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Space Ship (11-6) by 12l, 5 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Brought down 1st, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Prominent, lost place when mistake 9th, 5th 5 out, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Little Jon (10-10) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Pearl Castle (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Barye (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Zaidiyn (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out and going well, went 2nd before last, ridden run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Baby King (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Captain Brown 22-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 8th of 15, 16 1/2l behind One For Harry (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Frederic 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, headway before 5th, beaten 3 out, soon edged left, weakened next, 7th of 12, 34 1/4l behind Set The Trend (11-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Silver Duke (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 3rd, weakening when hit 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Minstrels Gallery (10-3) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
