led until 3 out, weakened approching last
behind, headway on inside after 3 out, hit next, never on terms
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
mid-division, pushed along 5th, soon lost place
in touch, ridden approaching when mistake 3 out, weakened before next
always behind
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, every chance next, led before and jumped right at last, soon hung left under pressure, hard ridden closing stages, headed post
chased leaders, lost place 4 out
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
always prominent, led 3 out, headed approaching last, rallied closing stages, ran on to lead again post
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 3 out, chased leaders before last, kept on same pace
VIRNON goes handicapping for the first time having defied a penalty to land a double with last month's success in testing ground at Carlisle. There should be more to come from Alan Swinbank's charge so gets the nod. Russian Royale and Watt Broderick are recent winners but neither could cope with a rise in the weights last time and Sandygate and Circus Star are preferred on their recent placed efforts at Fontwell and Wetherby respectively. Baratineur ran well over a longer trip here last month without troubling the winner and Two B's won a juvenile hurdle at Doncaster when last at the track over a year ago.
Fatcatinthehat 28-1 (11-9) Led, headed narrowly 3 out, close up when fell heavily next, at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Wells De Lune (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Took keen hold tracking leaders, headway to lead before 3rd, went left 5th and next, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Virnon 5-4fav (11-5) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance last, led run in, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov beating Herecomesnelson (10-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Circus Star (USA) 12-1 (10-5) Behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never a threat, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind Vendor (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Russian Royale 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, chased winner after 3 out, kept on and well held from last, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Stoneham (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Watt Broderick (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 24l behind Sir Valentino (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Baratineur (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, left 2nd next, ridden to challenge between last two, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Vintage Clouds (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov.
Sandygate (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd well before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9 1/4l behind Bon Enfant (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov.
Two B's 50-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Witch From Rome (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
After Hours (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, no impression and soon well held, went 5th flat, 5th of 12, dist behind Buveur D'air (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Captain Redbeard (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, led again after 3rd, headed before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Fagan (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Dec.
