bit keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led between last two, soon clear, stayed on strongly
led until 4th, pressed leader, led again next until 7th, lost 2nd at 10th, lost place next, poor 5th when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 10th, led turning in, ridden and headed before 2 out, headed between last two, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
never fluent in rear, lost touch 10th, mistake 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
pressed leader, led 4th until before next, in front again 7th, pushed along and headed turning in, soon no extra in 3rd
raced wide in 3rd, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, no chance with leading trio
Chef D'equipe has had wind surgery since a disappointing run at Sandown but Philip Hobbs also saddles the less-exposed Honorary Colonel. Lots Of Luck is 5lb lower than when third in this last year and made all over track and trip two weeks ago but LORD SPARKY is a standing dish here and a drop back in trip on today’s going should aid his cause. He will be getting 18lb from recent Wincanton winner Dorking Lad and also looks a better bet than Alpha Carinae.
Dorking Lad 3-1cfav (11-0) Raced on inside, held up early, not fluent 3rd, headway tracking leaders next, close 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead run-in, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Flagrant Delitiep (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, headway chasing leaders 3rd, lost place 6th, behind and not travelling next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Honorary Colonel (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 8th, hit next, unsighted when slightly hampered and stumbled badly 11th, rallied approaching 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Downtown Getaway (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Alpha Carinae (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, in touch, shaken up after 5 out, ridden and kept on one pace from before 2 out, last of 5, 16 1/4l behind Fantastic Lady (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Lots Of Luck (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Made all, jumped well, pushed along home turn, ridden after 2 out, hung right but stayed on strongly run-in, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Judex Lefou (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Lord Sparky 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, slow 2nd, went 2nd from 4 out until before 2 out, went 2nd again last, pressing winner flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Freddy Fanatapan (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
