held up, keen, headway on inside after 5 out, badly hampered next, soon under pressure, no extra approaching last
soon led, not fluent 5 out, fell next
in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages
held up in touch, weakened 4 out
prominent, hard driven before 4 out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, left in lead 4 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace
led early, soon in touch, outpaced before 4 out, rallied next, led before last, stayed on well
held up in rear, outpaced 7th, headway when badly blundered 3 out, no danger after
Venetia Williams completed a hat-trick in this including with Gardefort in 2014. Still only seven, he's had his jumping problems but if getting round safely can make his presence felt. Adrian Heskin has made an excellent start to his career in the UK and though his mount, Noche De Reyes, was well beaten here last time he found the ground too soft and completed a track and trip double on good going in the spring. Colin Tizzard can do little wrong at present and though Irish import SIZING PLATINUM has been beaten three times for the yard each of those races has been at a high level at Cheltenham and he's taken to continue the stable's fortunes. Festive Affair won here in April and at Doncaster last month where he battled on strongly. He's only 3lb higher so has to be respected but very easy Bangor winner Colin's Brother seems better on softer ground though he's improving at a rate of knots. Doitforthevillage has won two Class 4 races and will find these rivals much stronger. Baltimore Rock has a touch of class and will find this less daunting than chasing Douvan around though he hasn't run since April.
Baltimore Rock (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Took keen hold early, chased leaders, closer in 3rd approaching 4 out, slight mistake next, under pressure in 4th approaching straight, no impression 2 out, no extra and not fluent last, 4th of 5, 35l behind Douvan (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Sizing Platinum (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 8th, left handy 3 out, led before hitting next, soon headed, edged right and one pace flat, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Eastlake (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Gardefort (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Noche De Reyes (FR) 2-1 (11-12) In last pair, no impression before 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Tornado In Milan (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Festive Affair (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Prominent, not fluent 1st, 2nd from 4th, led 4 out, idled flat, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Oliver's Gold (11-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Going Concern (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 4 out, 1 1/2 lengths down and closing when fell 3 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Colin's Brother 11-10fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 8th, led soon after 3 out, clear last, comfortable, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Un Anjou (11-10) by 14l, 4 ran.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up and behind, steady headway after 4 out, 3rd on long run before before next, 2nd before the last, stayed on to lead run-in, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Emperor Commodos (10-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
