tracked leaders, 2nd approaching last, slightly hampered and switched left run-in, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
jumped right at times, chased leader, led before 3 out, edging left and headed before last, edged left and no extra in 3rd run-in
edgy and mounted on course, took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, went 2nd and going well enough when fell 3 out
led until before 3 out, dropped to 3rd when left in 2nd 3 out, led before last, hung right under pressure run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards
Nonrunner
Fayette County will probably be heading to Doncaster if that meeting gets the go ahead but might have struggled against some of these anyway after falling on his chasing bow at Kempton. Royal Regatta only had to be pushed out to make a winning start over the larger obstacles over course and distance last month, when subsequent Taunton fourth Seventh Sky was pulled up, and will make a bold bid to defy a 9lb higher mark. But FAR WEST can finally open his account over fences having only found one too good so far at Exeter and Plumpton. He jumps well enough and appears well treated on his hurdles form. Cody Wyoming has won at Stratford and Taunton but could find this company too hot from 3lb out of the handicap.
Far West (FR) 11-4 (11-1) Disputed lead until 8th, chased winner, ridden 3 out, 5 lengths down next, stayed on flat, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Deputy Dan (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Royal Regatta (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Held up in rear, jumped slowly and pushed along 8th, headway and switched sharply left to inside approaching 4 out, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, 1 length 2nd approaching last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov beating Keltus (10-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Fayette County (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway 3 out, one pace and disputing 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Tango De Juilley (11-0) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Seventh Sky (GER) 16-1 (11-3) Raced wide, in touch, tended to jump left, reminder 9th, outpaced 4 out, left 2nd next, soon ridden, one pace in 3rd when hung right approaching last, kept on, lost 3rd post, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Black River (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Cody Wyoming 1-2fav (11-8) Tracked leader, tracked winner 7th, ridden 3 out, driven 2 out, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, weakened flat, 2nd of 3, 12l behind Take The Crown (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
