not that fluent, chased leaders, driven after 3 out, beaten next, soon weakened
led until before 3rd, prominent, led before 4 out, hard pressed when stumbled, jinked right and unseated rider 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway on inside before 3 out, no impression, weakened from next
held up in rear, ridden after 9th, still behind 2 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never dangerous
tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, slow and lost place 2nd, not fluent and struggling 8th, pulled up when well behind before 2 out
always prominent, challenging when left in lead 2 out, stayed on well flat, ridden out
prominent, led before 3rd, jumped right next, headed before 4 out, dropped out quickly, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, beaten after 2 out, plugged on
mid-division, ridden along briefly before 9th, effort 3 out, outpaced and no impression after next, plugged on before last, went 3rd flat
held up towards rear, headway 9th, left 2nd 2 out, 3rd and beaten final bend, soon weakened, lost 3rd flat
mid-division, headway after 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, went 2nd final bend, pressing winner last, held flat, kept on
held up towards rear, headway on outside 4th, ridden and struggling before 9th, well beaten from 4 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out
Mr Washington has improved again this season and has plenty in his favour again while Global Harmony is a previous course and distance winner and reverts to hurdles after a spell chasing. ART OF DIPLOMACY (NAP) has been raised 8lb for winning at Ludlow but his future clearly lies over this sort of trip and Sam Twiston-Davies is keen to keep the partnership intact so he’s preferred to the consistent Beau Haze. Steinkraus has won two of his last three and Nico de Boinville prefers Ascot runner-up Scarpia to Go Chique. Theme Tune won twice around this time last year but has looked in the assessor’s grip since going handicapping.
Theme Tune (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along from 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Celebre D'Allen (11-5) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mr Clarkson (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, led narrowly before 7th, drew clear when ridden before 3 out, narrow advantage 2 out, headed before last but led soon after, headed again flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Butler's Brief (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Scarpia (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway after 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied and hit 2 out, ridden between last two, stayed on under pressure in 2nd run-in, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Earth Lord (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mr Washington (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in last trio, headway chasing leaders 8th, not much room bend on long run after 4 out, ridden to lead narrowly before 2 out, strongly pressed last last, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Quick Draw (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Global Harmony (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Close up, lost place 3rd, behind 9th, pulled up 13th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Subcontinent (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, dropped to rear and ridden after 10th fence, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Gazette Bourgeoise (FR) 5-6fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened after last hurdle, 4th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Letthetruthbeknown (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Fitzroy (IRE) 150-1 (10-3) Always behind, well adrift 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Guard Your Dreams (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Go Chique (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Close up, headway 3 out, ridden and pressed winner next, no extra towards finish and lost 2nd, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Bean In Trouble (11-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Steinkraus (IRE) 11-2 (11-13) Held up, made headway after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, joined leader after last hurdle, lead close home, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Nelsons Rock (11-7) by shd, 12 ran.
Fifrelet (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Held up just off the pace in last pair, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, pushed along before next, weakened soon after, last of 10, 20 1/2l behind Pull Again Green (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Art Of Diplomacy 17-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, closed before 4th, jumped left 6th, close 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, led soon after, edged right, drew clear towards finish, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Our Idic Boy (10-0) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
Glance From Clover 4-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 4th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 11, 14 1/4l behind High Change (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Beau Haze 5-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, 3rd and held before last, kept on, 3rd of 12, 8 1/2l behind Go Steady (11-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
