mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, driven out towards finish
tracked leader, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace in 4th
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon challenged, every chance before next, soon no extra
towards rear, fell 1st
in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders and mistakes, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last
towards rear, pushed along after 5 out, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
led and soon clear, ridden and headed before 2 out, rallied run-in, kept on and held near finish
mid-division, mistake 5 out, pushed along before 3 out, soon tailed off
mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened
Slanelough was second over course and distance last month and then third off his new mark at Wetherby. He’ll be hard to keep out of the frame again while Amadeus Rox, at the opposite end of the handicap, has shown enough to get involved. Astaroland, Durbanville and the returning Saint Cajetan also warrant a mention and we are probably yet to see the best of Ouro Branco but Bandsman has been a bit disappointing so far this term. COPPER WEST gets a tentative vote after two runs in maidens. He appeared to find 2m5f a shade too far last time at Ludlow having got outpaced over 2m at Southwell earlier.
Slanelough (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) In touch, chased winner from 4 out, kept on and no impression before last, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 11, 8 1/4l behind Westend Story (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Bandsman 10-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent and struggling 7th, well beaten when mistake 3 out, mistake 2 out, last of 8, dist behind Canelie (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Miles To Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 4 out, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Scrafton 28-1 (9-3) Keen close up, lost place over 7f out, not a factor after, last of 9, 27 1/2l behind Good Time Ahead (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Copper West (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, took keen hold, one pace and held by leaders before 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Indian Hawk (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Princess Tara (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders to 4th, mid-division, behind and reminders after 7th, struggling next, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ouro Branco (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Rear division, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Go Go Lucas (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Durbanville 15-8fav (12-2) Keen, chased leading trio, 3rd after 5th, 2nd and every chance when mistake 2 out, hit last and lost 2nd, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Triopas (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ruaraidh Hugh (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Raced wide, in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 28 3/4l behind Throthethatch (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Sommervieu (FR) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 2nd, last after 3rd, headway after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 26 1/2l behind Look My Way (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Astaroland (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Crackdeloust (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Master Vintage 16-1 (11-11) Pulled hard in mid-division, effort 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 15, 25 3/4l behind Our Merlin (11-3) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Saint Cajetan (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 3 out, never on terms after, 5th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Minstrel Royal (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Amadeus Rox (FR) 15-8fav (9-5) Led briefly, settled in 3rd place after 2nd, 2nd approaching 3 out until after 3 out, pushed along and every chance when badly hampered 2 out, not recover, 3rd of 5, 16l behind The Game Is A Foot (9-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
