chased leaders, disputing 2nd from 7th, challenged 3 out, led going well next, clear flat, very easily
chased leader, led before 7th, driven and headed 2 out, well held by winner flat
led, headed before 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 8th
raced keenly, held up, mistake 9th,went 3rd from 4 out, unable to get on terms, closed on 2nd flat, well held by winner
held up, closed 7th, not fluent and outpaced in 4th from 4 out, jumped right last, plugged on
held up in rear, closed on outside 2nd, outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
NonRunner
After a second at Wincanton, Thyme White tried to refuse at the first at Ascot and unseated Harry Cobden. He is the only one racing off his correct weight in this but clearly has questions to answer at present. Across The Line has improved with experience but we’ll take a chance on chasing debutant BENNY’S BRIDGE with his yard going great guns at present. He doesn’t have many miles on the clock and won three times over hurdles. Mackenberg should also make a chaser and is probably best of the rest.
Thyme White (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Veered badly left then right and unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Nero Rock (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Disputed lead, slight mistake 3rd, headed next, lost position and reminder after 7th, jumped slightly left 8th and no impression under pressure, dropped to rear before 4 out and not fluent, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f gd in Oct.
Ballycallan Fame (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Led, clear when not fluent 3rd, reduced lead when not fluent next, not fluent 4 out, pressed 3 out, headed after next, 2 lengths down when fell last, at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar.
Benny's Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 4l behind No Risk Des Flos (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Across The Line (IRE) 2-1 (11-3) In rear, pushed along and reminders after 4 out, ridden along and looked beaten in 4th before 2 out, stayed on strongly from before last to lead run-in, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Light N Strike (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Uncle Henry (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression halfway, no extra under 2f out, weakened, last of 9, 15 1/4l behind Oh Purple Reign (11-12) at Laytown 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Mackenberg (GER) 3-1jfav (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced and pushed along before 3 out, hit 3 out and soon weakened, 7th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Tommy's Oscar (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
