raced on inside, held up in 4th and off the pace early, closed up 3rd, went 3rd 2 out, driven to challenge and every chance last, hung left and not keen look under pressure flat, weakened final 110 yards
raced wide, held up in 5th and off the pace, steady progress on wide outside on long run to last, 3rd just before last, challenged flat, stayed on to lead close home
raced wide, took keen hold, chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th, weakened before last
raced wide, chased leader until 5th, weakened 2 out
raced on inside, held up in rear and off the pace, headway on inside before last, driven and no impression soon after
raced wide, led, ridden and pressed on long run to last, joined last, bumped soon after, stayed on gamely under pressure flat, headed close home
Whitcombe Spirit profited from an enterprising ride from Jeremiah McGrath when finally breaking his duck over C&D two weeks ago. But Jamie Poulton's charge still doesn't look a natural over hurdles and is worth opposing off today's 7lb higher mark. Despite his advancing years, Spider Boy always gives of his best while Rosoff is only a pound higher than when short-headed by Wheres Johnny at Plumpton last month. Master Milan could do better now handicapping but the key to this may be the race won by Dune Shine at Fontwell last Friday. Runner-up THE BISHOPS BABY, who may well have won had he not shifted left on the run-in, finished three lengths ahead of Sebastiano in third and, though the latter was hampered when making his move, can confirm the form on identical terms.
Sebastiano (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Raced wide in touch, headway to chase leaders when badly hampered and carried wide by loose horse after 3 out, rallied to 2nd and every chance 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd last, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Dune Shine (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
The Bishops Baby (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway 6th, chased leaders from next, led before 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, hung badly left flat, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Dune Shine (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Rosoff (IRE) 11-10fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, chased leading pair after 3 out, effort on inside between last 2, ridden to challenge and every chance flat, just failed, 2nd of 5, shd behind Wheres Johnny (11-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
Master Milan (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) In touch, led 2nd, headed 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 13, 46l behind Buddy Holly (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Whitcombe Spirit 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased leading pair from 2 out, led before last, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) hvy in Jan beating Chestnut Ben (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Spider Boy 14-1 (10-8) Took wrong course before 1st, led, ridden 7th, headed approaching 2 out, still every chance last, stayed on (disqualified), in a race won by Dancing Daffodil (9-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
