held up in last pair, steady headway 3 out, chased leaders before next, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after
raced keenly in mid-division, closer tracking leaders before 4 out, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, ridden and struggling before 3 out, never a factor
held up in mid-division, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, went 2nd on bit before 2 out, led last, soon quickened clear, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
raced keenly, held up in mid-division, plugged on in modest 4th run-in
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, 3rd and one pace from 2 out
towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, behind and pulled up quickly before 3 out
led and went clear after 1st, reduced lead when hit 3rd, headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened
chased leader who went clear after 1st, closer at 3rd, led 3 out until before next, weakened soon after
NonRunner
Nick Alexander holds ELVIS MAIL (NAP) in high regard and a very easy victory at Ayr at the start of the month was a further step forward. The five-year-old can pass another big test here ahead of Crooks Peak, who ran in snatches at Chepstow and is capable of better. The latter is a previous course and distance, as are Christopher Wood and French Crusader. Nico de Boinville’s mount is one of three Nicky Henderson runners in this but the mares Epatante and Elusive Belle appear to have stronger claims today. Antunes and Scarlet Dragon were both last-time winners and are entitled to respect.
Scarlet Dragon 9-4fav (10-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led and hit 2 out, driven flat, stayed on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep beating Earlofthecotswolds (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, headway into well held 3rd before 2 out where not fluent, mistake last, lost that placing close home, 4th of 5, 16 1/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-3) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gs in Nov.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced into 4th before next, rallied into modest 3d again towards finish, 3rd of 5, 15 3/4l behind Fusil Raffles (11-3) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gs in Nov.
Elvis Mail (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, challenged on bit after next, led narrowly approaching 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Leoncavallo (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Epatante (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway when mistake 4th, chasing leaders 2 out, ridden and switched right before last, no impression, stayed on one pace, 9th of 22, 9 1/2l behind Eglantine Du Seuil (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Mar.
French Crusader (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, close 2nd 3 out, led before hit last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Majestic Touch (10-11) by 8l, 6 ran.
Crooks Peak 4-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 3 out, every chance next, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 10l behind Speed Company (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Elusive Belle (IRE) 4-7fav (10-13) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged before 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear flat, ran on, won at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Apr beating Laxey (11-0) by 3l, 15 ran.
Antunes 3-1fav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before normal 3 out, led approaching last, clear flat, readily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Theatre Legend (11-6) by 10l, 10 ran.
Torcello (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened soon after, 10th of 14, 27l behind Harambe (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Storm Goddess (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next,, 5th of 13, 9l behind Midnight Midge (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Fanfan Du Seuil (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon driven and one pace, no impression from next, 4th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Elvis Mail (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
