tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on, ridden out
led, hit 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed after next, kept on same pace from last
hit 6th and 8th, always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
always towards rear, struggling when fell 4 out
raced keenly in mid-division, headway to track leaders 4th, weakened after 7th, stumbled badly next, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
hit 1st, mistake 6th, always towards rear, fell 4 out
pulled hard in mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch until lost place 4th, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace from next
CHARITY LANE is the selection with Perfect Line and Copper Sound noted. Sam Thomas is at Chepstow having been jocked off Master Minded and it is to be hoped his day gets off to the best possible start with Charity Lane. A winner of two bumpers in testing conditions, he enjoyed something of a schooling success in a weak race at Lingfield last time out. Perfect Line does have a bit to find on what we have seen so far. That said, Philip Hobbs must think that he is capable of handling the ground as he wouldn't be trying it for a third time. Copper Sound won his first race on a testing surface. Things haven't gone well since but he might make claims for each-way punters as a consequence. Ex-pointer Baren de Doc stays much further than this and it will be interesting to note whether the locals are with Keith Goldsworthy's entrant. Picaroon won a bumper for Tony Mullins in Ireland and attempts to score for in-form Tim Vaughan. Venetia Williams' yard have hit a little form so Pipo De Re has to be noted despite having to find a little on the formbook. Charity Lane is a confident call in the opener.
Charity Lane (IRE) 1-3fav (10-7) Tracked leaders throughout, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Helpston (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Baren De Doc (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Led, headed after 3f, ridden and every chance 3f out, edged left under pressure final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Sergeant Harper (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Copper Sound 40-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 6th, not fluent when headed next, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Fair Point (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cypress Grove (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Oct beating Local Present (11-11) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lunar Rock (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 14, 27l behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Owlsley 14-1 (11-3) Led for over 6f, weakened 6f out, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Darstardly Dick (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Perfect Line 16-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 9th of 15, well behind Tisfreetdream (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Phamtom du Lac (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Picaroon 14-1 (11-8) Prominent, some slight mistakes, on terms before 3 out, dropped to 5th and no extra from before straight, 6th of 20, 17l behind Head Of The River (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl gs in Oct.
Pipo De Re (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent early, settled in touch, hit 7th, soon slightly outpaced, no impression after, 4th of 16, 14l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Radmores Revenge 25-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 34l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
