tracked leaders until lost place 2nd, rallied on inside before 2 out, outpaced before last, rallied again and hit last, went modest 3rd in closing stages
never fluent, led, clear when not fluent 1st, not fluent 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd between last 2, lost modest 3rd in closing stages
held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders next, went 2nd between last two, 2 lengths down and hit last, kept on under pressure run-in for clear 2nd, not reach winner
held up in rear, good headway on wide outside tracking leaders before 2 out, soon tracking leader on bit, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, idled in closing stages, kept on
tracked leading pair, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, eased after last, tailed off
tracked leader until pushed along before 2 out, chased leaders, ridden and no impression between last 2, weakened run-in
held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway tracking leaders 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Royal Irish Hussar has more downs than ups since winning a Grade 2 as a juvenile three years ago. His handicap mark is still tumbling but he had every chance when second at Plumpton in September. Paddys Runner should have improved for a pipe-opener over a longer trip at Market Rasen but Beallandendall does best at Ludlow while Darebin and Lutece need softer ground. Poker School stays further than this so we'll take a chance that course and distance winner PRAIRIE TOWN is now ready to do himself justice as he has his ground and has been eased a few pounds since his run at Cheltenham.
Paddys Runner 11-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, under pressure after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind L'aigle Royal (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Royal Irish Hussar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, pushed along before 2 out where every chance, edged left and ridden between last 2, soon lost 2nd, went 2nd again last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Colla Pier (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Prairie Town (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, lost place before 2 out, 9th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Cliffs Of Dover (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Poker School (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, mistake and beaten next, 6th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Castlemorris King (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Darebin (GER) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Wolf Of Windlesham (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Beallandendall (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Led until after 2 out, mistake last, one pace and beaten flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind New Member (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Bad Boy Du Pouldu (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged and hit 3 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, mistake 2 out and pulled up, at Sandown 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Lutece 10-1 (11-6) Held up, in touch 5th, outpaced before next, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Rejaah (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp fll (2) gs in May.
