in touch, lost place 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, weakend before last
held up towards rear, headway when not much room 2 out, soon chased leaders, weakened last
behind, pushed along from 3rd, headway under pressure on outside before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, never nearer
in touch, outpaced when not fluent and went left 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, outpaced when jumped right 2 out, ridden and no impression before last
mid-division, headway 3 out, tracked leading pair next, driven and one pace approaching last, soon ridden, no impression when lost 3rd flat, faded into 5th towards finish
in touch on inside, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 2 out, soon chased leaders, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair
made all, driven and pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on, well in command final 100 yards
tracked winner, driven to challenge approaching last, soon ridden and every chance, kept on until well held final 100 yards
mid-division on inside, mistake and reminder 3 out, soon behind, ridden after next, stayed on from last, never nearer
behind, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into mid-division approaching last, never nearer
in touch on outside, switched inside before 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last
mid-division in touch on outside, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, weakened before last
MR WATSON, a winner between the flags, had shown a bit of promise in his first two starts over hurdles before cantering home when well supported at Plumpton. This is a huge leap in class but the assessor doesn't appear to have been too harsh and he can make a winning handicap debut. His Excellency won a Grade 2 over timber in Ireland just over a year ago and has been chasing this season. He's on an 8lb lower mark over hurdles and should go well while Bourne and Dildar, who fought out a finish at Kempton last time, are others who should get involved, especially the latter who looks progressive. Lord Of House is doing everything right and it's no surprise that the assessor raised him 15lb for his Sandown victory while Barbatos is a classy individual who won first time out last season so may not be too inconvenienced by a long absence.
Solix (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, mistake 7th, challenged 4 out until hit next, soon no chance with 1st 2, weakened to 4th when went left 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cedre Bleu (11-0) at Ascot 2m 5f grad ch (2) hvy in Dec, 4 ran.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd on inside before 2 out, driven and no impression on winner between last 2, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Lexi's Boy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr.
His Excellency (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up, jumped left at times, no impression when not fluent 4 out, progress from after 3 out to take 2nd after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Sanctuaire (11-10) at Kempton 2m Grade 2 chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Bourne 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 5th, headway when not fluent 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating Dildar (11-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Barbatos (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, soon led, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan '12 beating Batonnier (11-2) by 7l, 14 ran.
Lord Of House (GER) 12-1 (9-9) Chased leader, led soon after 2 out, soon clear, pushed out fom last, easily, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy beating The Italian Yob (10-1) by 10l, 12 ran.
Dildar (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when awkward 2 out, led last, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Bourne (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Kingcora (FR) 18-1 (11-8) Held up behind in touch, driven after 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 48l behind Landscape (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Quaddick Lake (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway on outside when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Loose Chips (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
Mr Watson (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Made all, took keen hold, soon clear, eased towards finish, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Get Back In Line (11-0) by 8l, 14 ran.
Kings Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, driven 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 10, 13l behind River Maigue (11-0) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Old Tricks (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inside, driven before 2 out, soon ridden, chased clear and easy winner between last 2, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Kylenoe Fairy (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out, 11th of 12, 26l behind Lord Of House (9-9) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy.
The Pier (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until badly hampered and lost place soon after 4 out, ridden in modest 8th before 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, finished well to 4th close home, 4th of 12, 10l behind Brick Red (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 15th of 17, well behind Dark Lover (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Thunder Sheik (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) With leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed last, unable to quicken, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Flaming Charmer (11-4) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
