tracked leader, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, went 3rd before last, soon ridden, kept on
in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged last, soon led, kept on well towards finish
mid-division, went 3rd before 3 out, no extra and lost 3rd place before last
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden before last, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, soon weakened
behind, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous, soon pulled up
led, soon clear until 3 out, headed after last, kept on and well held towards finish
towards rear, weakened from 4 out
Aristo Du Plessis won off a higher mark in January and this is probably a bit easier than recent tests – he’s preferred to stablemate Lycidas. Cornborough should get a lot closer to Wetherby conqueror Eyes Of A Tiger on 4lb better terms and has only found too good since here, though has been put up in the weights for that. All Set To Go is consistent but remains high enough in the weights and more interesting is course and distance winner Ardamir, who is fit from the Flat. Forced Family Fun and FAVORITE GIRL have also scored over track and trip and Mike Appleby’s mare has every chance in this on her latest second at Ascot – she won on the level a couple of weeks earlier. Hawk High is useful on his day but has had his problems recently.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, clear before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 10 1/4l behind El Terremoto (10-7) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Hawk High (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Soon towards rear, outpaced before last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, headway under pressure bypassing omitted last, stayed on flat, not reach leaders, 9th of 26, 11 1/2l behind Superb Story (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
All Set To Go (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, hit 4 out and lost action briefly, ridden next, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 11l behind Robinshill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Cornborough 3-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Unison (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Lycidas (GER) 13-8fav (11-5) Led, not fluent and clear from 3rd until after 6th, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 14 1/2l behind Craggaknock (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Ardamir (FR) 3-1 (9-9) Held up, headway and short of room over 1f out, soon switched left, ridden and ran on, not reach leaders, 4th of 9, 4l behind Petite Jack (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Favorite Girl (GER) 14-1 (10-3) Led and soon clear, narrowly headed but every chance carried right run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Eddiemaurice (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Forced Family Fun 8-1 (8-13) Held up, soon in mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, eased over 1f out, 9th of 11, dist behind Hatsaway (8-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Eyes Of A Tiger (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Made all, ridden before last, kept on, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Sakhee's City (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hartside (GER) 22-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 6th of 9, 13 3/4l behind Boite (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
