tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 4th, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, no impression
held up, ridden and headway after 2 out, soon one pace
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace flat
held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden 2 out, switched left approaching last, stayed on under pressure
led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed approaching last, on pace
refused to race
held up, ridden 2 out, never a danger
In terms of quality this is not the best of races by the track's standards and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Jonjo O'Neill's Matcho Pierji who ran with promise on his return at Folkestone recently and is taken to open his account on the better ground today, getting the vote ahead of Oh Crick and Ouragan Lagrange. The last mentioned won a conditional jockey's contest nicely enough last time and has to be respected on his debut in a handicap but may be a shade high in the weights so he looks best watched. Top weight Stripe Me Blue ran better at Newbury last time and has claims on that evidence, while Kim Bailey's French import Sarde ran with promise on his handicap debut at Sandown last time and cannot be discounted. Alan King's Oh Crick, another import from France, looks to be going the right way and he too has to be respected but preference is for Matcho Pierji.
Stripe Me Blue 50-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led after 5th, hard pressed from 2 out, kept on gamely when headed final 40 yards, 2nd of 18, hd behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Oh Crick (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure to chase leaders 3 out, soon driven, chased leader flat, driven and stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Count Kristo (11-5) by a nk, 14 ran.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway between last 2, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Sovereign King (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Arumun (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway to go 3rd 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression on first two, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Salhood (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 18-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 15th, effort approaching 2 out, no extra under pressure, 5th of 29, 13l behind Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching last, edged left, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Forest Silver (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sarde (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, driven before 2 out, no extra between last 2, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Osako D'airy (11-5) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Top Ram (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, chased winner when not fluent 3 out, weakening when went left 2 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Petrovka (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) With leader, led before 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Doncaster 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Westgate (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Reluctant to start, pulled hard, rapid headway to lead 3rd, soon clear with 2 others, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 32l behind Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Dec.
Bartercard (USA) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Barton Legend (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Mountain Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 18, 21l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
