held up well in rear, not fluent 4th, stayed on to modest 5th approaching 2 out, went 4th last, never any chance to reach leaders
pulled hard, chased leaders, not fluent 7th, weakened 9th, driven in well held 5th when blundered badly 2 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place before 8th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 3rd under pressure before 2 out, no impression when went right last
always towards rear, struggling 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, driven after 3 out, poor 4th when mistake and weakened to 5th last
always towards rear, tailed off
led, headed 8th, led again narrowly 3 out, driven and joined last, headed and no extra final 100 yards
took keen hold, chased leader, led 8th, hit 3 out and narrowly headed, pressed leader, upsides last, stayed on gamely to lead again final 100 yards
mistake and stumbled 1st, chased leaders, weakened before 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division on inside, not fluent 6th, headway before 3 out, soon driven and no impression, poor 8th when eased before 2 out, tailed off
A competitive affair in which THEOLOGIST is taken to supplement Newcastle gains under Joshua Moore who takes the mount once again. The selection stayed on with great resolution over three miles on soft ground that day, prior to which he had put together an admirably consistent series of efforts in decent handicap company. A genuine sort, he still looks on an acceptable mark despite a 10lb rise for that success on Tyneside. Tour Des Champs also makes appeal as he's clearly unexposed after just the three runs, most recently when a satisfactory third to Big Occasion at Chepstow. He looks nicely weighted for this move into open handicaps. Oscargo looked a really interesting stayer in the making when sweeping aside Kayf Aramis at Cheltenham before tipping up there early last time. Harry Derham takes off a valuable 7lb and the gelding could easily be good enough here but he's yet to operate on soft ground and is just passed over for that reason.
Benny Be Good 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, every chance 3 out, chased winner 2 out, switched right before last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Qianshan Leader (10-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Dec.
Oscargo (IRE) 4-5fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, took keen hold early, stepped at 6th, landed awkwardly and unseated rider, in a race won by Houblon Des Obeaux (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs, 8 ran.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Raced wide in mid-division, lost place 5th, headway 7th, challenged on long run to last, led before last, joined soon after, stayed on gamely and always holding on near finish, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr beating There's No Panic (11-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lightning Strike (GER) 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced on outside after 3 out, never on terms, 10th of 19, 36l behind Swincombe Flame (10-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Dorset Square (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Not fluent, always behind, 15th of 16, well behind Thehillofuisneach (10-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Allthekingshorses (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Prominent, hit 7th, soon ridden, lost place after 3 out, well held approaching last, 8th of 14, 18l behind Barbatos (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In touch main group, dropped to mid-division before 6th, struggling next, weakened after 3 out, 16th of 19, well behind Poungach (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Tour Des Champs (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon rallied and every chance, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Big Occasion (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Theologist (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, ridden out flat, won at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft beating Glenwood Knight (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Mr Jay Dee (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Led until 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 16, 26l behind Thehillofuisneach (10-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 4-6fav (10-13) Tracked leaders on inner, pushed along 6th, reminders after 4 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Ely Brown (10-13) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
