tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, tailed off
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, led soon after, headed after last, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, ran on well
in touch, blundered 4th, chased leaders 3 out, soon one pace
held up, weakened halfway, behind when pulled up after 4 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened before last
held up, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, led after 3 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages
keen, tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, tailed off
held up, never dangerous
Three previous winners of this are back for more though 2016 winner Aristo Du Plessis finished well behind Normal Norman when the latter won last year’s renewal off an 8lb lower mark. 2018 winner Sir Chauvelin has raced mostly on the Flat since and has placed on the all-weather recently but several of these are more progressive. Newtown Boy won over a longer trip at Haydock last month while Snookered has been raised a further 9lb after landing a four-timer with a victory at Wetherby. But ASHINGTON (NAP) won eased down over track and trip when defying a penalty in novice company last time and there looks plenty more to come from John Quinn’s charge now handicapping.
Snookered (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Made all, soon pressed until clear with one other 5 out until 3 out, ridden out, gamely, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Only Orsenfoolsies (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
L'Inganno Felice (FR) 9-2 (9-11) Keen early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Contingency Fee (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Project Bluebook (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never able to challenge, 6th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Bold Plan (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sir Chauvelin 10-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4l behind Raymond Tusk (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Newtown Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on inside after 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Informateur (11-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Normal Norman 8-1 (9-4) Soon last, headway widest of all entering final furlong, stayed on well, led towards finish, won at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Merweb (8-13) by 1l, 10 ran.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up behind, hit 3 out, outpaced next, ridden before last, never threatened leaders, 10th of 13, 15 1/2l behind Repetitio (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 5-2fav (10-9) Led until after 4 out, soon not much room, weakened before next, 5th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Cornerstone Lad (12-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ashington 4-11fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led 5th, pushed clear before 2 out, kept up to work until eased towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Astute Boy (11-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
Fisher Green (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Pressed winner until 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Snookered (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Never Be Enough 14-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on into 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Roman Spinner (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Dec.
