chased leaders, led after 2 out, soon headed, rallied after last, stayed on gamely to lead again towards finish
in touch, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led approaching last, hard driven when headed and no extra close home
led, headed after 2 out, weakened last
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, jumped slowly 3rd and 4th, headway to chase leaders before 11th, slow 14th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 1st, slow 4th, lost place before 12th, rallied 2 out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, beaten 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, held in 5th when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Go Conquer bids for back-to-back victories in this and this is normally his time of year. But he’s 5lb higher than 12 months ago and, along with Ramses De Teillee, has something to find with Traffic Fluide on Cheltenham running in April. Gary Moore’s top weight travelled strongly on his reappearance three weeks ago but had to settle for second in the end and this trip does seem to stretch his stamina. Kings Lad and Play The Ace will lack nothing in fitness and Too Many Diamonds was in good form over the summer. The Nicholls’ pair Art Mauresque and Adrien Du Pont both have a touch of class but are undoubtedly better over trips short of 3m. GEORDIE DES CHAMPS won twice in small fields earlier this year. He needed the run at Uttoxeter in July and is a proven stayer who could be too strong for these in the closing stages.
Traffic Fluide (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, every chance flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind The Young Master (10-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Art Mauresque (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place slightly after 2nd, rallied on outside approaching 5 out, not fluent and weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Charbel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Go Conquer (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Soon led, headed 1st, prominent, close 4th when mistake 3 out, one pace after next, weakened flat, 8th of 16, 14 3/4l behind Traffic Fluide (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, blundered 5th, led when hit 7th, mistake 11th, soon headed, led again 12th, not fluent 13th, headed when fell 4 out, at Ayr 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Geordie Des Champs (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 2nd, closed on outside 10th, beaten before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 18, 13 1/2l behind Virgilio (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Kings Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Left in lead 1st, headed after 7th, chased leader, led again 5 out, made rest, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Exitas (10-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Solighoster (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, fell 5th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Too Many Diamonds (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, challenged from 2 out, led narrowly run-in, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Voix D'Eau (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Play The Ace (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, slow 8th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Royal Village (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place after 3 out, 9th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Traffic Fluide (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
