led, mistake 3rd, headed 3 out, mistake last, weakened flat
held up towards rear on inside, took keen hold, mistake 5th, some headway before 3 out, never on terms, bumped last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd fro 5th, led 3 out, driven flat, stayed on strongly
took keen hold, tracked leader from 1st until 5th, lost place next, well beaten 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, last 3 out, well beaten when mistake next
tracked leader until 1st, in touch, challenged 3 out, held final 150 yards, stayed on
held up in rear, went left and not fluent 5th, driven and hanging left after 3 out, plugged on into never dangerous 5th flat
mid-division, closed 5th, every chance 2 out, went left last, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway before 3 out, held together until ridden and one pace from last
Aristo Du Plessis bids to follow up a recent victory at Wetherby and is best on flat tracks like this but we’ll take a chance on FIN AND GAME back over hurdles. His yard won this last year and the more rain the better for the six-year-old, who hasn’t been disgraced over fences this season. A clear round could see Mcgowan's Pass in the mix with the returning Keyboard Gangster another to consider. Cornerstone Lad is consistent but struggles to get his head in front while handicap debutant Speed Company may struggle to last home in these conditions, though did win on soft on the Flat.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Led, ridden 2 out, headed narrowly last, rallied gamely to soon lead again, ran on, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Cornerstone Lad (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Keyboard Gangster (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, led 2 out, held on towards finish, won at Kelso 2m hcp (2) hvy in Apr beating Reverant Cust (10-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Cornerstone Lad 11-2 (11-1) Keen close up, headway 3 out, every chance next, ridden to lead narrowly last, soon headed, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dragonhov (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Demain Des L'aube (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Jun.
Mischievious Max (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased winner until after 5th, chased leaders, hit next, hit 3 out, rider lost iron briefly and weakened before next, 8th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Wemyss Point (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Fin And Game (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, headway on inside 5th, lost place before 7th, slow next, behind 10th, 5th of 6, 14 1/2l behind Midnight Chill (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Justatenner 7-2jfav (11-12) Held up behind, headway when hit 4 out, driven after next, chased clear pair last, never on terms, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Top Billing (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
McGowan's Pass 9-4fav (10-5) Keen close up when blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Speed Company (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway when blundered 3 out, every chance when hit last, ridden and not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Tokay Dokey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov.
