raced keenly, tracked leader, awkward 2nd, led 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden after the last, headed and no extra final 150 yards
raced keenly, tracked leading pair, left 2nd 9th, pushed along before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd at the last, ridden edged left and and weakened run-in
sweating, raced keenly, led until mistake and headed 5th, chased leader, fell 9th
raced keenly, held up in 4th and always travelling well, left 3rd 9th, ridden between last two, closing when hit 2 out, close 2nd at the last, stayed on gamely after the last to lead final 150 yards
Cepage jumped superbly and stayed on strongly when making a winning start for Venetia Williams over course and distance. He’ll probably try and make all again and is preferred to the other four-year-old Romain De Senam. But KNOCKGRAFFON will be a tough opponent as easily picked off previous winner Sirabad here on only his second start over fences. A 12lb higher mark is a concern but Harry Skelton’s charge gets the nod. Icing On The Cake has won between the flags but this looks a big ask on his fencing bow from out of the handicap.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, blundered 3 out, kept on strongly, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Sirabad (11-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Romain De Senam (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Tracked winner throughout, pushed along after 3 out, hit next and slight peck, soon held, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Top Notch (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) gs in Nov.
Cepage (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Sweating, took keen hold, tracked leader, led approaching 4th, went right 4 out, and next, clear before 2 out, hit last, stayed on strongly, very easily, won at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating After Hours (11-8) by 18l, 8 ran.
Icing On The Cake (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, closed 2nd, led 5th, jumped left and not fluent 6th, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Movewiththetimes (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Oct.
