prominent when hit 1st, tracked leaders, closed again on outside when mistake 4th, challenged next, ridden when not fluent 3 out, no impression and lost 2nd after next
prominent, ridden approaching 5th, 3rd and one pace 3 out, went 2nd after next, no chance with winner
ridden early stages, prominent, led after 2nd, headed after 4th, weakened from next, tailed off
led until after 2nd, led again after 4th, clear 2 out, comfortably
Gigondas returned to winning ways when dropped into this grade at Taunton last time and could easily follow up here, despite conceding weight all round. But THE BULL HAYES wouldn't have to be at his best to land this at the weights. Mike Appleby finally appears to have lost patience with his charge but he probably still has the ability to beat these. Captain Cardington has also proved frustrating but might appreciate going back over 2m and is readily preferred to the four-year-old Chankillo.
Gigondas 7-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden before last, soon pressed, kept on well towards finish, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov beating James Pollard (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Captain Cardington (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, struggling 7th, headway 2 out, no impression, went 4th flat, 4th of 10, 20l behind Belle De Fontenay (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f sell (5) gs.
Chankillo 12-1 (11-4) Led, headed 3 out, regained led before 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Sylvan Legend (10-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
The Bull Hayes (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Always in rear, driven after 4th, struggling after, tailed off, 5th of 7, 43l behind Tealissio (11-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
