chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leader, led between last 2, soon clear, easily
pulled hard early and set steady pace, settled better before 2nd where jumped slowly, mistake next, joined 3 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace, lost modest 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, blundered 2 out, plugged on, never on terms
raced keenly, held up, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, 3rd next, weakened between last 2
jumped poorly in rear, went badly right 2nd, tried to refuse next and pulled up before 3rd
mid-division, weakening when mistake 3 out
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, headway into 3rd before 2 out, went modest 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders, headway on outside approaching 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
held up and always towards rear
mistake 1st, held up and behind, headway before 2 out, plugged on in modest 4th
Alan King has won this twice in the last three years but Sephton didn’t show a great deal at Huntingdon in October having been moderate on the Flat. Nicky Henderson trained the 2017 winner and FRASER ISLAND will likely be a short-priced favourite. He only managed one victory on the level for Mark Johnston but was rated 83 at one time and stamina is unlikely to be an issue. John Betjeman was an encouraging second at Fontwell and likes soft going so looks the pick of those with experience ahead of Rafiot.
Deebee 16-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Barossa Red (9-0) at Haydock 1m hcp (4) hvy in Aug.
Fraser Island (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Slowly away, held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Aiya (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
John Betjeman 20-1 (10-12) Keen in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 3 out, left 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Zamani (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec.
Percy Alexander 3-1 (9-1) Led early, tracked leader, led over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Spirit Of Angel (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in May.
Rafiot (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders after, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up after next, at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Royal Born (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Brighton Pier (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Sephton 25-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Nordano (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Sir Canford (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Led early, chased leaders, not much room over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Hooflepuff (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Delta Bravo (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rea, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Ideal Grace 25-1 (9-0) Disputed lead early, chased leaders, no impression final 2f, 11th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Born To Reason (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Nov.
Mrs Meader 9-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, some headway when hampered over 2f out, kept on late, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Norma (9-9) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp fll (5) gd in Jul.
Pourmorechampagne 66-1 (8-2) Bumped start, towards rear, pushed along 4f out, well beaten final 3f, last of 8, 33 1/2l behind El Picador (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
