led to 11th, reminders before next, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in last pair, close up 10th, left 4th at 12th, outpaced 4 out, went moderate 3rd after next, plugged on, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, left 3rd at 6th, went 2nd 4 out, well held when ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with winner
in touch when badly hampered 2nd, lost place and behind from 6th, lost touch after 8th, continued tailed off
tracked leader, led 11th, clear 4 out, unchallenged after, driven out, tired flat, kept on
in touch on outer, jumped right 2nd, 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 6th
held up in last pair, tracked leaders 10th, 4th when fell 12th
Market Option appears to be finding his form and only found one too good at Wincanton last month. Smart Exit has twice finished second at Chepstow this season but is still climbing the weights and now 17lb higher than when successful here in January of last year. Georgian King struggles to get his head in front nowadays while Gamain finished tailed off on his fencing bow, though should be capable of better. NEWTON THISTLE has recorded all three previous wins here and might have gone close on his reappearance at Chepstow had he not come down – Ben Pauling's charge gets the nod.
Pinerolo 25-1 (11-11) Behind, mistake 1st, ridden after 4 out, soon lost touch, detatched after 7th, behind when pulled up 9th, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Smart Exit (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Midfield, headway approaching 8th, chased leaders next, led 4 out, hard ridden when headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Big Society (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Gamain (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind John Louis (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Georgian King 33-1 (11-2) In touch, progress to lead 11th, headed approaching 5 out, rallied next, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 13 3/4l behind Big Society (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Newton Thistle 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5 out, ridden and in 3rd when fell heavily 4 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Market Option (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracking leading pair, hit 8th, stumbled 12th, went 2nd approaching 13th until approaching 3 out, regained 2nd next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Distracted (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Tea Caddy 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, no impression after, plugged on, 4th of 5, 11l behind Rosa Fleet (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
