held up towards rear, no impression after 2 out
prominent, led 5th, headed after 2 out, no extra when jumped left last
led until 5th, lost place after 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway when not fluent 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed last, fading in 5th close home
prominent, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, well held when hampered last
mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, pushed along after next, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 4th, led last, stayed on, driven out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, effort on inside off home bend, no impression and soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway after 3 out, weakened, eased and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, went 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, headway when not clear run before last, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finish
mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd flat, pressed winner, stayed on, held towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, well beaten when not fluent next
NonRunner
NonRunner
Only a length separated Bigmartre and Drumcliff at Kempton and they meet on the same terms here. Wait For Me looked to be running into form in that race and could give the aforementioned more to think about today but the ground may be too quick for mudlark Le Rocher while Robinshill couldn’t repel the late charge of Maestro Royal at Sandown and has gone up another 6lb since. That was an improved effort from Nicky Henderson’s charge, who should go well again. Max Do Brazil is an interesting runner as he was second in a Listed race at Auteuil in November but we’ll take a chance that a short break has rejuvenated BYRON FLYER. Most of his winning form has been over further but they won’t be hanging about in this finale and Stan Sheppard’s claim will aid his cause. Divine Spear has been quite lightly-raced and looks best of the rest.
Court Minstrel (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never involved, 10th of 14, dist behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Robinshill (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led, went left 2nd, clear after 2 out, went left and hit last, driven and pressed run-in, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Solstice Star 20-1 (11-10) Led until 3rd, prominent, jumped right and hampered 5th, not fluent 7th, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 35l behind Burtons Well (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Wait For Me (FR) 9-2jfav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders before 2 out, ridden in 5th hanging right and held when blundered last, 6th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Bigmartre (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Made most until narrowly headed 2 out, chased leader, ridden approaching last, led again soon after last, driven and strongly pressed towards finish, held on gamely, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Drumcliff (10-11) by 1l, 12 ran.
Maestro Royal 15-2 (11-2) Held up in 6th, steady headway tracking leaders 3 out, went 2nd between last two, soon driven, stayed on run-in, led close home, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Robinshill (11-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
William H Bonney 8-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, held up in touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 2 out, blundered 2 out, not recover, weakened, 8th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
John Constable (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division until lost place and towards rear 4th, never on terms after, 11th of 14, dist behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Dream Berry (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 10th, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Max Do Brazil (FR) (10-12) 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Saint Poursain (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 3f hcp lst sft in Nov.
Divine Spear (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Made all, pressed from 2 out, just held on post, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Cool Sky (10-13) by shd, 7 ran.
Disputed (IRE) 9-1 (11-13) Soon detached, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd approaching the last, driven and kept on run-in, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 6 3/4l behind Walt (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Man Of Plenty 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Clondaw Kaempfer (11-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Rockchasebullett (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered and reminder 13th, lost place 5 out, behind when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Le Rocher (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Prominent when in view after 1st, lost place when in view after 4th, in touch when in view after 4 out, 2nd at finish, 2nd of 9, shd behind Clyne (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Byron Flyer 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway before 7th, challenged after 2 out, led before last, hung left and headed flat, weakened towards finish, 5th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Florrie Boy (10-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Drumcliff (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders when badly hampered and lost all momentum 2 out, rallied approaching last, kept on run-in but unable to recover, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
