held up towards rear, headway on inside after 4 out, weakened before last
led until after 1st, chased leader until after 5th, lost place before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent and chased winner from 2 out, no impression, kept on
mid-division, lost place before 6th, never back on terms
mid-division, not fluent 5th, given reminders and responded to go 2nd soon after, led before 2 out, stayed on
towards rear, well beaten 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden before 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on
tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, soon beaten, no extra last
held up, headway on outside before 4th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, led after 1st, clear before 4th until next, headed approaching 2 out, no extra before last
Thosedaysaregone faced a tough task in a Grade 3 at Ascot last time but is 9lb higher than when scoring at Wetherby before that. The consistent Skipping On made a winning return to hurdling at Sedgefield on Boxing Day while Informateur found only one too good at Newcastle last time. Teescomponents Lad finished in front of Sakhee's City when winning at Wetherby earlier but has been beaten since while Kelso runner-up Justatenner and Taxmeifyoucan are closely matched on latest running. But SAINT DE VASSY posted his best effort so far when second in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow last month and Tom Symonds’ charge gets a speculative vote now handicapping in what looks a wide-open contest.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 20-1 (12-3) Held up in touch, headway after 4 out, every chance after 2 out, kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Landecker (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leader until 5th, 2nd again before 4 out, no impression on winner 3 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 12 1/2l behind Willie Boy (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Sakhee's City (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, led before 3 out, headed flat, one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Teescomponents Lad (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Thosedaysaregone (IRE) 4-1 (10-6) Held up in last trio, headway 4th and held when went left and mistake 2 out, eased, mistake last, 4th of 10, 12l behind Ballymoy (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Jan.
Teescomponents Lad 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 4th, headway under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace, never reached leaders, 4th of 11, 6l behind Closing Ceremony (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Justatenner 11-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on into 2nd after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Landecker (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Saint De Vassy (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in touch in 6th, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd at the last, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Melchior King (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Informateur (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Keen in touch, headway into 3rd 4 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Buster Valentine (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Skipping On (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, ridden out flat, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Schiehallion Munro (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Mcgowan's Pass 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, closed 5th, every chance 2 out, went left last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 9, 6l behind Cornerstone Lad (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
