chased leaders in third, nudged along after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, went second flat but no match for winner
led, slow 1st, not fluent 7th, pushed along and headed before 2 out where not fluent, ridden before last, no extra and lost second flat
tracked leader, awkward 1st, led approaching 2 out, went clear last, comfortably
held up, hampered 1st, not fluent 6th, lost touch approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
NonRunner
Templepark reverts to hurdling having won a chase off a 2lb lower mark at Warwick in September and going close over fences again last time. Ginistrelli fell at Ludlow having won over 2m at Doncaster earlier while Cheng Gong won over track and trip last month but was caught close home back here last time by a Paul Nicholls-trained favourite. The latter runs MON FRERE in this and, with improvement expected over this longer trip after placing over these obstacles on his hurdling bow, he gets the vote. Smartmandarcy has shown little so far.
Ginistrelli (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Held up, mistake and fell 6th, at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Cheng Gong 10-1 (11-12) Led, 4 lengths clear 5th, reduced advantage 7th, ridden and extended lead approaching 2 out, still in front last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Chez Hans (12-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Mon Frere (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, came under a drive on approach to 2 out, kept on after last, lacked pace of front pair run-in, 3rd of 14, 14 1/2l behind Camprond (11-4) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Mar.
Smartmandarcy (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Fancy Foundations (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Templepark 2-1fav (11-7) Disputed close 3rd, went 2nd 14th, good jump to lead 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Psychedelic Rock (11-0) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
