made all, soon 5 lengths clear, driven when blundered 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well
pulled hard, held up, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake next, never a threat
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened last
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
chased clear leader, effort after 2 out, soon one pace
keen in touch, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge when hung right approaching last, kept on well
chased leaders, hard driven after 3 out, weakened next
behind, outpaced 3 out, headway approaching last, stayed on well, never nearer
Sizing Cusimano cost 100,000 euros last year and has a cracking pedigree for jumping. He’s well worth a market check in this having raced just once in a bumper when not disgraced at Cheltenham. Emell was rated 107 on the Flat at one time but only raced beyond a mile once so may have stamina limitations. Grapevine is a more interesting newcomer as he won twice over 1m2f and has joined a top yard. BRAHMS DE CLERMONT has a double penalty but looks the safest option. He probably didn’t beat much here two weeks ago but won without coming off the bridle and is preferred to Parthenius, beaten at Catterick after winning at Plumpton, and Show On The Road, though Philip Hobbs’ charge has run his best races here.
Brahms De Clermont (FR) 4-6fav (11-4) With leader, led 5 out, soon pressed until quickened clear before 2 out, readily, won at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Snapdragon Fire (10-12) by 22l, 10 ran.
Parthenius (GER) 10-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4 1/4l behind Rockalzaro (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Bergholt (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Raashdy (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Desiremoi D'Authie (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, led after 1st, clear 3rd to 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 9, 34 1/2l behind Dell Oro (10-12) at Ascot 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Duc Kauto (FR) 5-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, under pressure over 4f out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 21 3/4l behind The Dubai Way (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Emell 66-1 (8-8) Well off the pace in last pair, never a factor, last of 13, 6 1/4l behind Reach High (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Flight To Milan (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway when blundered 3 out, outpaced next, never on terms, 6th of 12, 25 1/2l behind Court Liability (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Nov.
Flying Verse 12-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened 2 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Court Liability (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Nov.
Friday Night Light (FR) 66-1 (8-7) Towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened final furlong, 26th of 34, dist behind Withhold (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Grapevine (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 6th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Jus Pires (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Show On The Road 4-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on to take 2nd place close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Diese Des Bieffes (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Sizing Cusimano 11-1 (11-0) Held up behind, struggling halfway, kept on under pressure final 2f, never pace to threaten leaders, 6th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Crooks Peak (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon lost place, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, dist behind Sword Of Fate (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Miss Tynte (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and one pace over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 18, 8 1/4l behind Diamond Gait (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
