tracked leaders, outpaced before not much room after 2 out, modest 6th last, stayed on flat, went 4th close home
not always fluent, chased leaders, ridden 9th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 7th, went 2nd after 2 out until before last, weakened flat
tracked leader, led 9th, 3 lengths clear when hit last, headed inside final 100 yards, kept on
held up in mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, hanging left and weakened before last
held up in mid-division, headway before 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, 4th after last, soon hung right, no impression, lost 4th close home
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before last, led inside final 100 yards, stayed on
held up in mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, every chance flat, held inside final 100 yards, kept on
le,d not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th, headed next, mistake 3 out, awkward 2 out, soon weakened
Anteros probably runs his best races around here and was ahead of Rocky's Treasure when second over a slightly longer trip last time, though was only fifth in this last year off the same mark. The Dutchman made a promising reappearance at Haydock on his first run for Colin Tizzard but his long-term future probably lies over fences. Champers On Ice ran in the same race and is another who will be back chasing sooner rather than later while Sykes has more to do than when winning at Ffos Las. ARTHUR’S GIFT beat a subsequent dual winner at Worcester last month and then overturned earlier form with Psychedelic Rock at Market Rasen, He’s a progressive sort and gets on well for Tom Humphries. Luccombe Down has place claims again while Jester Jet boasts an excellent strike-rate for Tom Lacey, though may be a few pounds too high now.
Shantou Bob (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Close up on outside, lost place 7th, behind from 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Desert Cry (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked winner, effort when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced by front pair, weakened last, 5th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Sam Spinner (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
The Dutchman (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch on inside, headway after 4 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Sam Spinner (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
Sykes (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Prominent on inner, led 4 out, ridden and ran on, eased towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating On The Road (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Held up behind on outside, headway after 4 out, tracked leaders after next, ridden before last, went 3rd and kept on same pace flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Thomas Campbell (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Taj Badalandabad (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, 8th 3 out, no impression, 9th of 15, 25 3/4l behind Whataknight (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Fly Camp (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened quickly before 2 out, pulled up, at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Anteros (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up behind on outside, headway after 2 out, came towards stands side rail and led narrowly before last, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Thomas Campbell (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 13-8fav (10-5) Raced wide, close up, headway to chase leader 2 out, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Psychedelic Rock (10-8) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Jester Jet 11-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead before 2 out, clear between last 2, kept on well, comfortably, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Act Now (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Luccombe Down 16-1 (10-2) Led, not fluent 3 out, driven and hard pressed when mistake next, ridden and headed narrowly before last, kept on until no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Thomas Campbell (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
