chased leaders, lost place 6th, ridden in last next, well beaten after 3 out, pulled up before last
led, headed after 2 out, no extra last
held up rear of mid-division, headway 2 out, soon outpaced, well held when hampered and bad mistake last, eased heavily
held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, headway after next, led before last, soon clear, stayed on strongly
close 2nd, every chance when pecked slightly 2 out, outpaced and no impression last
chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, no impression when jumped left last
chased leaders, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, not fluent 6th or 9th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed before last, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, headway when not fluent 2 out, weakened before last
held up well in rear, not always fluent, outpaced and well held before 2 out, kept on last and went never dangerous 6th flat
held up in rear, went right and awkward 1st, headway 9th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, led before last, soon headed, no chance with winner but kept on
A cracking renewal featuring nearly all of the usual suspects among the staying ranks. It looks a more competitive race than the one 12 months ago in which Agrapart stayed on well to beat Wholestone. Unowhatimeanharry won this in 2017 but is in the veteran stage now and probably not the force of old. He fell in the Long Walk at Ascot last month won by Paisley Park, who is improving and holds West Approach, The Mighty Don and Agrapart on that run. Sam Spinner looks as though he’s fallen out of love with the game and Lil Rockerfeller is fully exposed but Black Op wouldn’t be the first smart stayer to bounce back after not taking to fences. However, a further step up in trip may be beyond Midnight Shadow. AUX PTITS SOINS showed the benefit of a comeback run at Newbury when easily winning a handicap over this track and trip next time. He’s always been held in high regard and, lightly raced, could upset more established stayers.
Agrapart (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leader, left in lead 2nd, clear before next, reduced lead when hit 4 out, headed next, weakened quickly, 9th of 11, dist behind Paisley Park (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 9th, blundered and lost place 10th, driven and rallied 12th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, no impression, 3rd of 4, 9 1/2l behind Vinndication (11-0) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Midnight Shadow 8-1 (11-6) Held up, closed 3rd, switched right off last bend, led last, edged left and driven flat, stayed on well to assert final 150 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan beating Wholestone (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Paisley Park (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, led run-in, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec beating West Approach (11-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Sam Spinner 9-2 (11-7) Led, went right 1st, jinked badly right and unseated rider next, at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Unowhatimeanharry 4-1 (11-7) Tracking leaders when fell 8th, at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Wholestone (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Led until after 2nd, led 4th, headed next, not fluent 7th, led 3 out, soon headed, led again 2 out, headed before last, 2nd and held final 150 yards, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Black Op (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Not fluent, tracked leader, mistake 1st, lost 2nd 4th, pecked 10th, hit 11th, stumbled 4 out, hit 3 out, closed before 2 out, 3rd and no impression last, 3rd of 4, 7 1/4l behind Lostintranslation (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Jan.
Aux Ptits Soins (FR) 5-1fav (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 9th, led after 2 out, clear when not fluent last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan beating De Name Evades Me (10-2) by 7l, 14 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 15-8fav (10-12) Mostly in touch in mid-division, not fluent 8th, pushed along before 2 out, unable to go with leaders before last, weakened flat, 6th of 8, 19l behind Rockpoint (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, held up in last pair, steady headway on outside approaching 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Paisley Park (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec.
West Approach 40-1 (11-7) Mid-division, smooth headway on outside tracking leaders before 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, headed and unable to quicken run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Paisley Park (11-7) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Dec.
