chased leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 6th, not fluent next, hampered 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 5th, not much room before 3 out, slightly hampered at 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, beaten last
tracked leader until pushed along 5th, ridden after next, lost place 7th, well beaten when hampered 3 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, jumped left 1st, headway after 7th, close up when left in lead 3 out, drawing clear last, easily
jumped right at times, led, pressed when fell 3 out
chased leaders, 2nd briefly 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up in 5th, in touch when not fluent 7th, struggling when hampered and left 4th 3 out
DARLING MALTAIX has not distinguished himself in his last two starts but a repeat of his second to the useful Dentley Du Mee at Taunton in November would probably be good enough in a race like this. L'Auberge Du Bois had no chance against a subsequent easy winner at Wincanton last month but faces nothing of that one’s calibre today. Amzac Magic made some late headway on his hurdling debut and will know more today.
Amzac Magic 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, plugged on, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 26 3/4l behind Le Musee (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, held up in rear, pulled way through on inside to lead 3rd, clear after next until 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened rapidly, 9th of 10, dist behind Kayf Grace (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
L'Auberge Du Bois (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before 2 out and chased clear pair, kept on and went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Blu Cavalier (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Whitley Neill (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led for about 1f, stayed in touch, lost place over 3f out, 10th of 13, dist behind Just A Sting (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (6) gs in Mar.
Illtellmema (IRE) 7-2 (10-8) Led, jumped right, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 otu, 3rd of 8, dist behind Larry (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) sft in Apr.
R Bren (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leader until over 5f out, weakened 3f out, last of 8, dist behind Sea Story (11-2) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Sienna Royale (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 9, dist behind Cedar Valley (10-6) at Taunton 2m (5) hvy in Mar.