made all and set good pace, hit 3rd, pushed along and quickened after 2 out, 3 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged
kept wide, tracked winner until after 2 out, soon outpaced, no chance when knuckled on landing and fell last
tracked leading pair on inside, reached at 3 out, went 2nd after next, 3 lengths down last, kept on same pace and no impression run-in
NonRunner
I LIKE TO MOVE IT (NAP) has landed four wins from six and produced a career-best last time when accounting for Tritonic over course and distance. He'd previously scored with plenty to spare at Worcester and sets the standard for the father and son team. Washington defends his three-race unbeaten record - two coming in bumpers - and this should give us a much better feel for just how good he is. He was always in command when scoring at Bangor on his hurdling bow. Sonigino is hard to assess on the back of two wins in France. He has a first start for the champion trainer and rates a promising recruit, whilst Pikar made a promising enough debut at Chepstow behind the unbeaten Knappers Hill to suggest he's no lost cause either in an intriguing affair.
I Like To Move It 10-3 (10-12) Chased leader, slow 2 out, soon ridden, led last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct beating Tritonic (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Pikar (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd flat, not able to challenge winner, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Knappers Hill (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Washington 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leaders, raced keenly, switched right before 4th, edged right before 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, led and ran green before next, ridden before last, clear flat, readily, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct beating Hurlerontheditch (10-12) by 4 3/4l, 12 ran.
Sonigino (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Always prominent, stayed on to lead near line, won at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Monte Igueldo (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
