tracked leader, led 2nd, headed before 3 out, soon rallied, every chance next, led again before last, stayed on well
chased leaders, reminders halfway, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, mistake 9th, every chance when not fluent 4 out, led before next, headed before last, weakened flat
in touch, mistake 7th, lost touch 9th, rallied 5 out, hard ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure
led until 2nd, remained prominent, under pressure 10th, lost touch next, rallied approaching last, stayed on strongly closing stages
Hi Vic scored easily on his reappearance at Uttoxeter but is up a grade off a 14lb higher mark. A conditional's allowance relieves some of the burden but RUSSE BLANC (NAP) is still preferred. The latter went close in this grade at Newbury last time when clear of the third and should also have the measure of the returning Ballyculla. Auvergnat didn't get very far before unseating at Exeter a week ago but ran well on fast ground at Market Rasen before that and makes more appeal than Take The Mick.
Ballyculla (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division on outer, headway from 5 out, 3rd next, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, dropped to moderate 5th 2 out, no impression, 5th of 19, 19l behind Gallant Oscar (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in May.
Russe Blanc (FR) 5-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, left 2nd 16th, challenging when hit 5 out, 3 lengths down last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Harry's Farewell (11-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Auvergnat (FR) 7-1 (11-11) Held up, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Hi Vic (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) In touch in 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Loughalder (11-12) by 26l, 5 ran.
Take The Mick 8-1 (11-7) Led until after 5th, remained prominent, weakened 5 out, 5th of 11, 27 1/4l behind King Massini (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
