tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, 3 lengths down last, stayed on strongly run-in, not reach winner
made all, hit 5th, not fluent 5 out, ridden before last, 3 lengths clear last, kept on run-in, just held on, all out
tracked leaders, pushed along and hit 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge
handy, shaken up 4 out, ridden before 2 out, gradually faded
A tricky opener, despite the small field. Dino Velvet is consistent but doesn’t win often nowadays. BARTON KNOLL stopped quickly and was pulled up on his reappearance but will strip fitter today and won last year’s renewal when 4lb higher. Valence D'Aumont looked to be coming to hand at Wetherby but Northern Bound couldn’t cope with a further 6lb rise when on a four-timer at the same track.
Dino Velvet (FR) 5-1 (10-11) Chased leader, pushed along before 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, held after last, last of 2, 8l behind Annual Invictus (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Barton Knoll 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division on inner, not fluent 8 out and soon detached, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) gs in Oct.
Northern Bound (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Mid division, pushed along home turn, ridden and outpaced 3 out, hampered by fallen rival 2 out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Palmers Hill (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Valence D'Aumont (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, close up when fell 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
