held up in last pair, tracked leaders 5th, lost place 2 out, soon driven and one pace, ridden and kept on in 3rd after last, no impression with front pair
made all, not fluent 4 out, driven 2 lengths clear last, ridden out flat, stayed on well
in touch, tracked winner from 3rd, lost place 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with leaders from last
chased winner to 3rd, in touch, lost place and behind from 5th, tailed off 3 out
held up in last pair, tracked leaders 5th, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths down last, kept on flat, always well held
Paul Nicholls usually launches a strong assault at this meeting and Brahms De Clermont provides the Ditcheat handler with a major chance to kick off with a winner. However, he will not have it all his own way by any means and ARTHINGTON appeals as a value alternative with Kevin Jones's claim seeing the Mullins inmate receive a valuable 5lb. He's done nothing wrong this season and didn't run as badly as his finishing position suggests at the Cheltenham festival. Fin And Game is unbeaten this season but this represents his toughest ask to date, whilst Deyrann de Carjac is not ruled out either as he's open to progression and receives 10lb from the aforementioned trio.
Arthington 80-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, weakened well before last, 18th of 23, 28 3/4l behind Blow By Blow (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Brahms De Clermont (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Raced wide, tracked leader until pushed long over 3f out, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Grapevine (11-4) at Kempton 2m (5) pol in Mar.
Fin And Game (IRE) 1-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, soon hung left and given reminder, in command final furlong but idling and kept up to work, won at Southwell 2m (4) pol in Mar beating Miss Adventure (10-11) by 1l, 3 ran.
Biennial (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Led and jumped left 1st, soon clear with two others, headed soon after 3rd, tracked clear leaders, ridden and weakened 5th, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Pearl Of The West (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 14 1/2l behind Kalashnikov (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
