led to 5th, with leader, led again 7th, not fluent 4 out, headed before next, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden flat, idled closing stages, just held on
tracked leaders to before 5 out, outpaced when mistake next, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, never on terms, weakened flat
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace between last 2, ridden and no impression after last, kept on towards finish
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind and struggling, lost touch 5 out, tailed off
chased leaders, one pace before 2 out, no impression before last
tracked leader, led 5th to 7th, with leader, led narrowly again before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on until no extra and lost 2nd closing stages
mid-division, in touch on outside 5 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd after last, rallied to press winner closing stages, just held
always behind, struggling 6 out, soon lost touch and pulled up
Paddy The Stout ran a cracker in this last year to finish second to the smart Village Vic but he's disappointed so far this term. Cloudy Joker fell heavily when attempting a Catterick hat-trick four weeks ago but would have probably finished ahead of the disappointing Strongly Suggested had he stood up. The latter is trained by Jonjo O'Neill, who also runs Festive Affair. Noel Fehily's mount has fallen to a very fair mark and has won here before so could figure while Ut Majeur Aulmes deserves a change of luck and should be thereabouts again. GORES ISLAND finished ahead of Victor Dartnall's charge at Taunton in December and is 5lb better off. He often makes life difficult for himself but is weighted to go very close here and the long home straight should suit his style of running. Artifice Sivola needs some help from the handicapper.
Artifice Sivola (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, led before 10th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon 4th and well beaten, 4th of 9, dist behind Cadoudoff (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 13-8fav (10-13) In touch, ridden 6th, left 2nd just after next, slow 4 out, 3rd next, left 2nd when mistake 2 out, every chance flat, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Wings Of Smoke (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led until 5th, pressed leader, fell 12th, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Gores Island (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up behind, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, soon left 3rd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 11 3/4l behind As De Fer (10-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Festive Affair (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led briefly bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden and one pace in 3rd after 2 out, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Vision Des Champs (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Strongly Suggested 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, mistake next, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Raktiman (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Held up towads rear, headway 5th, chased leaders after 10th, never on terms, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Vision Des Champs (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Starkie 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 10-3 (11-11) Chased leaders on outside, jumped right and not fluent 10th, 4th and one pace when blundered 3 out, weakened, last of 5, 32l behind Cernunnos (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Paddy The Stout (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, unseated rider 2nd, at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
