led and tended to jump left, headed 15th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 4 out, eased and pulled up after next
chased leader until 13th, chased leaders, 2nd again 16th, led approaching 2 out, headed and pecked last, stayed on same pace run-in
held up in last pair, closer tracking leaders 8th, 4th when blundered 14th, 3rd approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in 6th place, blundered 7th, fell 12th
raced wide, chased leaders, lost place 7th, last pair when hampered 12th, struggling after, tailed off
waited with in rear, smooth headway tracking leaders going strongly when short of room briefly before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and closed to lead last, stayed on well
took keen hold, chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 13th, led 15th, reached for next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out
Art Mauresque is only 2lb higher than when third in a Grade 3 handicap over course and distance in November but is generally better over shorter and was behind Calipto is last month’s Sky Bet at Doncaster. Venetia Williams’ gelding appeared to prove his stamina that day and remains in fine form. Coneygree showed he wasn’t a back number at Cheltenham on his reappearance but was a spent force when unseating his rider in the King George subsequently. Regal Encore is a bit of an enigma but won this last year and is more than capable when in the mood. BLACK CORTON looks a safer option, however, as he won over this trip on this card 12 months ago and hasn’t run badly in defeat at Wetherby and Kempton this season. Reikers Island has the most scope of these but is taking a big step up in class.
Coneygree 20-1 (11-10) Led, headed 14th, weakened after 3 out, continuing to weaken when unseated rider 2 out, at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Black Corton (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Mostly tracked leading pair, reached for 3rd, pushed along and lost 3rd before 11th, weakened next, left modest 3rd and slightly hampered 4 out, plugged on into 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Top Notch (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Regal Encore (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Abolitionist (10-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Art Mauresque (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, some headway before 14th, plugged on in 5th from 4 out, 5th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Go Conquer (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Smooth Stepper 25-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, weakened from next, 7th of 8, 29 3/4l behind Crosspark (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Calipto (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, raced wide towards rear, mistakes 1st and 10th, headway chasing leaders 14th, pushed along in 3rd after 4 out, ridden and no impression when mistake last, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Go Conquer (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Crievehill (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Towards rear, bumped 1st, headway 10th, not fluent 11th or 12th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Lake View Lad (11-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Reikers Island (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Often jumped left, led until 3rd, chased leaders, tracked leader 15th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, blundered and almost unseated rider last, kept on until headed final 125 yards, weakened towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Carole's Destrier (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
