held up in rear, well beaten 3 out
made all, jinked about into 4th, clear 2 out, hit last, stayed on
prominent, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened flat
always behind, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, dropped into mid-division before 2nd, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th towards finish
chased leaders, disputing 2nd after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 3rd or 5th, well beaten from 3 out, mistake last
prominent, not fluent 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last
always behind
held up towards rear on outside, pulled hard, headway from 3 out, mistake and chased winner 2 out, no impression, lost 2nd flat
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, blundered last, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
XPO UNIVERSEL gave notice of an imminent victory when runner-up here and could hardly have won more easily at Sedgefield last weekend. A 7lb penalty doesn't look enough to prevent a quick follow-up though Winds Of Fire will have his supporters on his handicap debut. A dual winner for Godolphin on the level, he's performed well enough in his two starts over timber to suggest he'll be winning soon. Vengeur De Guye is better over fences though conditions are in his favour while the ultra-consistent Sleepy Haven is likely to be thereabouts again though he hasn't won since 2016. Craig Star is another on a long losing run though he's dropped to a lowly mark as a consequence.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 40-1 (11-12) In touch, pushed along 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Le Ligerien (12-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Held up, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Xpo Universel (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led after 3 out, pushed clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Crackdeloust (11-8) by 10l, 7 ran.
Romeo Brown 7-2 (11-12) Held up off the pace in 5th, hit 2 out, plugged on towards finish, 5th of 6, 27l behind Enfin Phil (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Curramore (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Towards rear, pushed along place soon after 6th, pulled up 8th, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Winds Of Fire (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 10 1/2l behind Garry Clermont (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ran on strongly from last, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Strong Glance (12-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Get Help (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Raced on inside, led until 3rd, chased winner who went clear after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, weakened between last 2, mistake last, 3rd of 6, 23 1/2l behind Enfin Phil (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Mint Gold (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Prominent, driven 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 16, 20 3/4l behind Native Fighter (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 150-1 (11-7) Pressed winner until ridden entering straight approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Le Ligerien (12-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Let's Sway 4-1 (11-12) Raced on inside, chased leader, led 2nd, clear after next, reduced lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out, stating to weaken when fell 2 out, at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Craig Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 5th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Island Villa (10-2) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
