mid-division, dropped to rear 8th, soon struggling, pulled up before 11th
mid-division on outside, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after next
in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened before 2 out
behind, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, never near leaders
always in rear, lost touch and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
mid-division, ridden and headway under pressure 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on flat, held towards finish
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, struggling 13th, ridden 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, never near leaders
in touch, reminders and lost place 9th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, pushed along when fell 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on outside, prominent 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led and clear before 2 out until after last, ridden and held on towards finish
led to before 2 out, kept on same pace
behind, struggling 10th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
Gaora Lane has run creditably in both starts this term but could probably do with some help from the handicapper and a better bet looks to be SOUND STAGE, who gets the vote ahead of Et Maintenant. Lucinda Russell's gelding disappointed at Kelso two outings ago but showed improved form at Newcastle last time and has to be respected on that evidence. Nigel Hawke's Manmoon ran well at Leicester last time but would probably prefer faster ground, while French import Whimper could be of interest on his debut for David Pipe but is difficult to weigh up. Qhilimar has had three runs since crossing the channel and is another French import to be reckoned with but it is Sound Stage that looks the one to beat. Caroline Keevil's gelding looks to be going the right way judged by recent outings and looks worth chancing at the likely odds.
Pancake (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake 9th, led and mistake 11th, blundered 4 out, headed next, weakened and mistake 2 out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Mount Benger (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Sovereign King 40-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway from 12th, stayed on well under pressure run-in, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 8l behind Nikos Extra (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Led, headed after 12th, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair 3 out, soon no impression, lost 3rd between last 2, 4th of 8, 29l behind Zitenka (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Daldini 20-1 (10-3) Led, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Shining Gale (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Alexanderthegreat (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hit 8th, lost place next, behind 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 6-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened last, 4th of 9, 16l behind Laskari (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Silly Wupple 3-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, jumped right 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 3rd of 6, 36l behind I'moncloudnine (11-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Et Maintenant (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, led 4, ridden and headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, not quickened after last, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Qhilimar (FR) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, reminder after 4th, jumped slowly 6th, soon ridden, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied from 2 out to take 3rd last, kept on flat, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Machu Picchu (FR) 25-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders 4 out, weakened approching 2 out, 7th of 10, 29l behind That's Rhythm (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Mylord Collonges (FR) 13-2 (10-6) In touch, left 3rd 3 out, ridden approaching next , ridden approaching last, 4th of 9, 20l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 34l behind Kilkenny All Star (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Whimper (FR) (11-0) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f clm chs hvy in Nov beating Reste Beau (11-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
Manmoon (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Mid-division, took keen hold, bumped 2nd, headway 7th, every chance 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Double Mead (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Sound Stage 5-1 (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, not fluent 8th, headway 9th, ridden to chase winner when mistake 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
River Indus 11-2 (10-4) Always handy, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no imprerssion flat, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Any Currency (11-7) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Putney Bridge 8-1 (10-6) Led until blundered and headed 15th, left in narrow lead next, headed after 17th and soon lost place, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Shillingstone (11-3) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
