pulled hard in rear, never a factor
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next
held up in touch, jumped slowly 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied and headway 2 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led 5th, strongly challenged 3 out, headed before next, weakened flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
with leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden clear, ran on well
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led until 5th, soon pushed along, stayeed on same pace from before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway before 6th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, soon weakened
behind, struggling 4 out, soon beaten
Lepido has been knocking on the door but the handicapper has seen fit to raise him 6lb for finishing second at Fontwell last time and he'll probably find at least one too good again here.. Black Phantom is a candidate as he is only lightly-raced, though he probably didn't beat much at Chepstow in November. The Bishops Baby is 4lb higher than when a four-length second to Swiss Art over C&D last month and may have to wait a little longer for his first win, while Beside The Fire also looks high enough in the weights. But that may not be the case with QUETZAL, who would probably have gone close at Kempton last time had he not kicked out the final flight and is open to a little improvement - he gets a tentative vote.
Sweet World 11-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, ridden before 2 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 9, 15l behind Pennellis (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Lepido (ITY) 10-3 (11-3) Raced widest of all tracking winner in rear, steady headway before 4 out, 4th after 3 out, chased winner before last and slightly hampered, switched right soon after last and driven, soon no impression, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Amuse Me (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Beside The Fire 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, no chance when hit last, 10th of 19, 18l behind Devil To Pay (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Nov.
The Bishops Baby (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, joined leader, after 5th, led 3 out, headed next, soon outpaced, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Swiss Art (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Quetzal (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway and in touch 3 out, effort next, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mark of Love (10-9) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Nov.
Manshoor (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Henry Hook (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Black Phantom (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Always prominent, led 4 out, soon ridden, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov beating Monsieur (11-1) by 7l, 17 ran.
Wheres Johnny 16-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, ridden 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 17, 34l behind Prince Du Seuil (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Whipperway (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on inside 5th, went 5th 3 out, no impression 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 16, 21l behind Third Intention (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Diamond Eclipse (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 14, 48l behind Monsieur Cadou (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Denton Ryal 9-2 (10-4) Took keen hold, held up, last when hit 5th, headway after 3 out, went distant 4th 2 out until weakened soon after last, 5th of 9, 23l behind Carrig An Uisce (10-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Arbayoun (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Mistake 3rd, behind most of way, tailed off, 9th of 16, 48l behind Act Of Kalanisi (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
