prominent, ridden 10th, outpaced after 4 out, tailed off
close up, mistake 9th, ridden and soon lost place, weakened after 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up
prominent, led 7th, made rest, ridden out
led, headed 7th, chased winner until ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
close up in 4th when fell 6th
in rear, slow 8th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
held up, headway 10th, chased winner 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace
towards rear, hampered 6th, headway 4 out, ridden next, no impression
VILLAGE VIC just held off Upetito at Wetherby on his reappearance but gave the impression there was more in the tank if required. He is 4lb higher here but will be difficult to peg back if allowed an easy lead and getting into a rhythm. Kodicil won nicely at Uttoxeter in September so is probably the danger with Mwaleshi making little impact at Aintree last month, though this is a drop in class. Empresario beat the useful Guitar Pete at Galway in July but his confidence seemed to be affected at Navan last time following a subsequent fall at Listowel. Muwalla has claims on last month's third at Wetherby as his latest run came over hurdles, though he has struggled to stay this far in the past.
Mwaleshi 14-1 (10-13) Led, tended to jump right, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 25l behind Benbens (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Run With The Wind (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Village Vic (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, left in lead 3rd, ridden and pressed when not fluent last, kept on gamely under pressure towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Upepito (11-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Empresario (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Close up, slightly slow 2nd, 4th from 5th, no impression from before 2 out,, 8th of 11, 12l behind Valours Minion (10-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Kodicil (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, effort over 3f out, soon lost place, 8th of 16, 15 1/4l behind Bold Runner (11-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Royal Macnab (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Led to 6 out, tracked leader, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Mister First (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in May.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 10th, every chance 4 out, soon lost 2nd, losing place when hit 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Gleann Na Ndochais (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Muwalla 5-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, close up 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, weakened last, 6th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Alizee De Janeiro (10-1) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
