held up in rear, headway on outside before 4th, went 2nd 6th, led 8th, headed 2 out, beaten when jumped left and mistake last, lost 2nd post
tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, pecked 2 out, soon beaten
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside 7th, not quicken in 3rd before mistake last, went 2nd post, no chance with winner
held up, headway 3 out, led next, clear last, stayed on strongly, impressive
held up in mid-division, not fluent 7th, mistake 3 out, headway before 2 out, weakened approaching last
led until 2nd, tracked leader until 6th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, pecked 2nd, outpaced after 2 out, 4th and kept on flat, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Coolanly beat Darlac in a Grade 2 on the Old course here in November but ran only three days ago when a reluctant leader in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury until outpaced up the home straight - he has a penalty to carry and looks vulnerable. I CAN’T EXPLAIN was making his debut under Rules when an easy winner at Sandown. The third won at Doncaster on Saturday so the form looks solid and Nicky Henderson’s winning pointer has any amount of scope. Anemoi is upped in class after wins at Ascot and Doncaster and will need to find further improvement and the others have even more to find on the form book.
Anemoi (FR) 2-5fav (11-5) Led 1st, jumped left and not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gf in Dec beating Red Royalist (10-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Darlac (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led narrowly after 3rd, headed narrowly before 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Alsa Mix (10-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
I Can't Explain (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Always prominent, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily, won at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Dec beating Phoenix Way (10-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Jarveys Plate (IRE) 11-8 (10-12) Tracked winner, not fluent 3 out, ridden approaching last, switched left after last, unable to challenge, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Mr Pumblechook 1-6fav (11-0) In touch, headway 5 out, led approaching and hit 2 out, drew clear last, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Viva Vittoria (10-7) by 10l, 13 ran.
Rocco (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led until 8th, ridden after 2 out, one pace before last, kept on again final 100 yards and took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 5 3/4l behind Rockpoint (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Supremely Lucky (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Prominent on outside, challenged 7th, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Rockpoint (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Coolanly (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led as no one else wanted to and set steady pace, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 7, 16l behind Champ (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
