mid-division, not fluent 3rd, closed next, not fluent 6th, hit next, challenged after 2 out, driven and edged left flat, no impression on winner towards finish
always prominent, led after 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
prominent, lost a few placed after 5th, weakened before 2 out
held up, ridden 6th, weakened next, well behind 3 out
prominent, 4th and not pace of leaders after 2 out, stayed on to close on 3rd final 100 yards, no impression
held up towards rear, not always fluent, some headway after 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, never involved, well held 2 out
led, not fluent 3 out, headed after next, stayed on same pace
towards rear, not fluent 7th, well beaten after 3 out
held up in rear, some headway and pushed along after 3 out, never on terms, weakened before next
The Unit followed a battling victory at Doncaster by defying several mistakes to score over this course and distance but he'll need to jump better with his penalties. Air Horse One had been an expensive failure on several occasions before comfortably landing a maiden at Exeter and looks the type to go on from there, though the top pair have plenty of weight to concede to the four-year-old DOLOS (NAP). Paul Nicholls' charge joined the yard from France and made an immediate impact with an easy victory at Chepstow. He then ran in Grade 1 races back at Auteuil and in the Finale at Chepstow and this represents a huge drop in class. He should take advantage as it will be a surprise if any of the remainder are capable of beating the three principals.
The Unit (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Held up, off the pace, in 5th, closer in 3rd after 5th, closed on outside and challenging in 2nd when awkward 2 out, led last, ridden clear run-in, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec beating Phobiaphiliac (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Air Horse One 15-8 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd before led 2 out, 1 length ahead when edged left approaching last, ridden clear run-in, eased close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Coeur Blimey (11-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Johanos (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway and every chance over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Run To Milan (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) sft in Dec.
Messery (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Newbury 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Quarenta (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch on outside, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Burbank (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Some Chaos (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 33l behind Air Horse One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Stealing Mix 40-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never involved, 7th of 14, 19l behind Bags Groove (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Dolos (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st, outpaced in 3rd from 4 out, well held 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) sft in Dec.
La Madrina (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, dist behind Verdana Blue (11-0) at Hereford 2m (4) gs in Jan.
The Groove 3-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, lost place 4f out, soon outpaced, no impression final 3f, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind St John's (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f (6) gd in Oct.
Coroner's Report (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Towards rear, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
