held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, soon dropped into mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on same pace
led, ridden before 2 out, mistake 2 out, headed last, kept on and held near finish
held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, led last, kept on, driven out
Masterplan has his sights lowered after finishing fifth at Sandown and is a threat to all here. But EBONY EXPRESS is fancied to defy his double penalty as he's come on in leaps and bounds over the last six months and is now chasing a five-timer under both codes. Argent Knight showed plenty of promise behind Chieftains Choice over course and distance last month and has the beating of Monbeg River on that run. He looks the pick of the remainder ahead of bumper winner Im Too Generous and Towcester third Al Destoor, though Lady Buttons is better than she showed at Wetherby last time where she probably pulled too hard.
Ebony Express 1-7fav (11-5) Close up in chasing group, chased clear leader 4th, led 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, comfortable, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Devenish Island (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Al Destoor 7-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway 3 out, driven to chase leaders next, went 3rd and stayed on approaching last, soon ridden, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Quinlandio (10-11) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Argent Knight 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Colonial Style (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Im Too Generous 15-8fav (10-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov beating Leading Score (10-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
Masterplan (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, pushed along in 6th before 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 22l behind Caracci Apache (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Monbeg River (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Behind, outpaced 3 out, plugged on into mid-division from next, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 39l behind Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lady Buttons 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 5th, headed 3 out, soon rallied, weakened after last, 5th of 11, 10l behind Bulas Belle (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Hainan (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Officer Drivel (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
