mid-division, headway on inside after 7th, not fluent and lost place next, switched left and effort 3 out, soon outpaced, well beaten next
held up towards rear, blundered badly and last 5th, some headway before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always handy, ridden after 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders on outside, ridden and lost place after 9th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, in touch when blundered 9th, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, headway from 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, 3 lengths clear flat, ridden out
chased leader after 2nd until after 9th, no extra 2 out
led until headed before 2 out, 4th and no extra last
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, soon niggled along and no response, behind 3 out, pulled up before next
SINGLEFARMPAYMENT landed a major gamble at Cheltenham last time and the presence of Davy Russell on his back here suggests connections mean business once again despite an understandable 8lb hike for that victory. As a result, he ties in very closely with the useful Westren Warrior on their running earlier in the campaign but such is the rate of progress of the Lacey inmate that he's taken to confirm placing despite disadvantageous terms. Eminent Poet is very much on the upgrade for Venetia Williams and rates a danger to both going in search of the three-timer. So Fine and Un Ace are also respected in a classy handicap.
Un Ace (FR) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, not fluent 6th, under pressure before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Yala Enki (10-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Singlefarmpayment 9-2fav (10-7) Held up in rear, hit 5th, headway after 3 out, challenged before last, led flat, stayed on well, clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Knockara Beau (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Westren Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Tracked clear leader, took closer order approaching 5th, every chance when mistake 2 out, rallied after last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Yala Enki (10-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Ascendant 20-1 (11-9) Led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Winning Spark (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
So Fine (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered 9th, in touch 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 16, 26 1/4l behind Singlefarmpayment (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Kerisper (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, in touch after 4 out, outpaced n when rider dropped whip after 2 out, rallied and went 3rd last, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Zeroeshadesofgrey (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Taj Badalandabad (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Stared slowly, soon led, hit 2 out, headed soon after, ridden between last two, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Simply A Legend (10-5) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Eminent Poet 4-5fav (11-11) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, eased close home, won at Towcester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Arquebusier (11-6) by 8l, 10 ran.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, some headway 12th, pushed along and outpaced in 7th before next, 6th of 10, 36l behind Local Show (11-0) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Amiral Collonges (FR) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to lead approaching 3 out, clear approaching next, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Knight Ofthe Realm (11-2) by 9l, 15 ran.
