in touch, went 2nd after 5th, ridden after 3 out, no impression when eased last
led 2nd, hit 3 out, soon ridden, clear 2 out, ran on
always behind, tailed off from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, chased leaders to 7th, soon tailed off
prominent to 7th, soon tailed off
held up, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along 8th, soon weakened
Amicelli Romany Prince and Festive Chimes look the three to concentrate on in the finale and the vote is given to Amicelli. The selection was a good second behind Meneur De Jeu that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and off the same mark here he will be hard to beat. Romany Prince rates the main danger as he won with plenty in hand last time out when beating Stagecoach Diamond but he will do well to win this giving weight to some less exposed rivals. Festive Chimes is another worthy of respect as she was given the worst ride ever seen when second behind Explosive Fox last time out and if she is ridden closer to the pace here she will be a danger to all. The remainder have shown very little of late and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to Amicelli who looks well in on official ratings.
Romany Prince 11-10fav (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd 6th, led going well 3 out, drew clear approaching last, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf beating Stagecoach Diamond (11-5) by 8l, 6 ran.
Amicelli (GER) 4-6fav (11-6) Tracked leader, hit 2nd, led approaching 3 out, headed and not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Meneur De Jeu (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gd in Jun.
Expensive Folly (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 8th of 11, 50l behind It's Just Harry (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Lost Treasure (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden after 5th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by It's Definite (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (E) gf, 6 ran.
McMahon's Brook 33-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, ridden and lost touch 7f out, soon behind, 12th of 14, well behind Mister Quasimodo (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 9-4 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, stayed on, nearest at finish, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Explosive Fox (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gf.
Court Empress 66-1 (10-1) Mid-division until 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Taranai (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gf in Jun, 15 ran.