mid-division, faltered at path crossing after 5th, headway 3 out, one pace 2 out, 5th and weakening when mistake last
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, well beaten before next
held up mid-division, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace before 2 out, well held before last
prominent, led after 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, edged right towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway after 3 out, never on terms and no impression from next, went 5th flat
chased leaders on inside, blundered badly 3 out, soon lost place, hampered on bend before 2 out and well beaten after
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on leading pair
held up in mid-division, ridden when slightly checked on bend before 2 out, soon well beaten
mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd from next, stayed on flat, not quite able to challenge
prominent, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, led, headed when not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders on outside, ridden and hanging right when pressing for 2nd 2 out, 3rd and beaten before last, weakened into 4th flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
I'dliketheoption was left clear by the fall of Zulu Oscar at the last at Doncaster but looked to be travelling best at the time. However, the latter is now 3lb better off and could be a danger to all with a clear round here. Two Taffs was only beaten a length here last month and a first victory over timber looks only a matter of time while French import Affaire D'honneur is worth a market check. After Eight Sivola could find this on the short side nowadays, however, and Taunton winner Canadian Diamond has more to do in this grade. DRAYTONIAN was still very green when scoring at Wetherby and will need to be more professional here. But there is no doubting his potential so he gets the nod with Monsieur Gibraltar having a bit to prove after being pulled up at Chepstow on his reappearance.
Monsieur Gibraltar (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, lost place when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 9-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, mistake 5th, 4th halfway, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m 1f hcp gd in Oct.
Exitas (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tended to jump left, chased (easy) winner, awkward 8th, pushed along after 3 out, soon hung left, eased when no chance after 2 out, 2nd of 3, 22l behind Violet Dancer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Starluck (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, plugged on same pace, went 3rd 2 out until the last, lost modest 4th in closing stages, 5th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Winner Massagot (10-4) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Zulu Oscar 11-10fav (11-12) Led, ridden before 2 out, joined when fell last, at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
After Eight Sivola (FR) 3-1fav (10-10) In touch, headway to join winner when hit 4 out, every chance next, held when hit 2 out, eased run-in, 2nd of 7, 22l behind Foxcub (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Draytonian (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 4th, clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Tara The Tiger (10-5) by 11l, 9 ran.
Two Taffs (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd from last, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Brain Power (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, headway from 3 out, went 2nd after next, challenging when left well clear last, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Double W's (11-7) by 12l, 6 ran.
Affaire D'Honneur (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Mango Cap (10-5) at Enghien 2m 1f gs in Nov.
Emperor Commodos 11-2 (10-12) Led and jumped mainly right from 4 out, headed and ridden after 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 9, 17 1/4l behind Go Long (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Ryeolliean 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th until pushed along approaching 2 out, out, ridden and no impression on winner between last two, kept on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Presenting Arms (11-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Canadian Diamond (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd next, kept on from last to lead final 75yds, driven out, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Shadow Blue (11-11) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Crickel Wood (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, weakening when fell 2 out, at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Itsnowcato 11-2 (11-4) Led, carried out by loose horse 4th, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
