held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when stumbled 3 out, no headway after
held up in rear, some late headway, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders before 2 out, kept on into 4th final 100 yards
keen early, chased leaders, challenged on inside going well 2 out, led and went right last, driven clear run-in
chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, ridden before the last, kept on into 3rd final 100 yards
mid-division, hit 4th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, plugged on run-in
raced wide in mid-division, pushed along and some headway after 3 out, weakened before next
held up and always in rear, never a factor
mid-division on inside, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders next, weakened before the last
took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 3rd and 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, still challenging at the last, ridden and no extra final 100 yards
led, pushed along and kept on well when joined 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
chased leaders on outside, hit 1st, lost place before 4th, hit 4 out, tailed off
Al Dancer is unbeaten this season and was very impressive on his handicap debut at Cheltenham. He is 12lb higher now but Nigel Twiston-Davies knows what it takes to win this Grade 3 handicap. Gary Moore is another trainer with a fine record in the race and Ar Mest is still near the foot of the handicap, despite back-to-back victories. Getaway Trump has been well backed ahead of his handicap debut having run well behind Champ in the Challow at Newbury, though the drop back to 2m is not necessarily in his favour. Paul Nicholls also runs MONT DES AVALOIRS, who may offer more value. He is weighted to reverse Newbury running in December with Lisp and was too keen when behind that rival here subsequently. Magic Dancer has been a little disappointing this term but is attractively weighted as a consequence and could go well at a price.
Lisp (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out to chase leaders before went 2nd 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner last, 2nd of 21, 2 1/4l behind Mohaayed (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 5-1fav (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened on long run before 2 out, 14th of 21, 21l behind Mohaayed (11-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Getaway Trump (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, travelling on bit 2 out, edged left and every chance last, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Champ (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Al Dancer (FR) 3-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, travelled strongly, went 2nd before 4th, led after last bend, drawing clear last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Not That Fuisse (11-0) by 11l, 9 ran.
Blu Cavalier 2-11fav (11-12) Led, ridden and pressed 2 out, headed before omitted last, ridden and rallied flat, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Cliffside Park (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Jan.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, brief effort 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 6, 14l behind Mister Fisher (11-0) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Equus Amadeus (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, dist behind Benny's Bridge (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Distingo (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 6 1/4l behind My Brother Mike (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Zanza (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, challenged and hit 2 out, soon hung left and bumped, stayed on to lead and hit last, edged right run-in, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Birds Of Prey (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
William H Bonney 7-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, led before last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Great Hall (11-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 5-6fav (11-2) In touch, ran in snatches, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Colonel Custard (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Ar Mest (FR) 7-4fav (12-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, stayed alone towards inside in home straight, led after 2 out, pushed 5 lengths clear flat, ridden out and reduced lead towards finish, won at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Volpone Jelois (11-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Magic Dancer 5-1 (10-12) Led until 4 out, pressed leader, led again on long run before 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Oakley (11-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Nelson's Touch 9-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, hampered 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Benny's Bridge (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
