chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, clear 2 out, eased flat
tracked leaders, chased winner before 4th, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
took keen hold, always last, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, behind from 5th
led after 1st, headed before 3rd, weakened after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 1st, weakened after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, close up 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 3rd, every chance 3 out, no impression before 2 out, hit last, dismounted after finish
in touch, ridden along after 5th, soon weakened, not fluent last
La Grande Villez is impossible to oppose here with Lady Suffragette and Barton Belle rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Slovetia last time out, form that sets the standard in the context of this race and he need only reproduce that effort to win this with plenty in hand. Lady Suffragette rates the main danger on his latest third behind King's Revenge but he looked a weak finisher on that occasion so this course may not suit. Barton Belle is another that could go well on his best form but all his best efforts have come on a softer surface. The remainder have shown very little and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to La Grande Villez.
La Grande Villez (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Prominent, headway and tracked winner after 7th, challenged and every chance from 2 out, soon ridden, ran on flat,, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Sovietica (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf.
Barton Belle 7-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 15, 20l behind Folk Tune (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Capricorn Red 66-1 (8-6) Always behind, last of 21, 39l behind Axford Lord (8-11) at Ripon 6f 2yo sll (F) gd in Aug '02 (Flat).
Marque Deposee (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Always behind, 9th of 10, 45l behind Sahara Prince (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Puzzle Palace (IRE) 125-1 (10-3) Led to 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Gypsy Scholar (10-10) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Theresa (DEN) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 10th of 15, 24l behind High Life (11-2) at N Abbot 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) gd.
Zuzu Summit (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Behind from 5th, 13th of 15, well behind Saratogane (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Suffragette (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, left in lead 1st, wandered at several hurdles after, headed 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind King's Revenge (11-5) at Towcester 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gf.
