raced on inside, chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, led narrowly after 4 out until before next, well held 2 out, no chance with easy winner
off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up
off the pace in last pair, tailed off 4 out, never a factor
never closer than mid-division, weakened rapidly after 4th and pulled up quickly soon after
bit keen, raced wide, chasing leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led narrowly 5th, headed and dropped to 3rd after 4 out, pushed along and no impression before next, weakened into 4th 2 out, lost that placing final strides
led, bad mistake and headed 5th, mistake and driven along next, lost 2nd 4 out, soon outpaced, went remote 4th final strides
close 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led before 3 out, clear before next, easily
mid-division on inside, plugged on in modest 4th before 3 out, went 3rd next, closed on 2nd but no chance winner
off the pace in last pair, closer 4 out, pushed along in mid-division after 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
NonRunner
Romeo Brown looked as good as ever when making all at Aintree but may meet his match here in the fast-improving STAINSBY GIRL. Nick Alexander’s mare was completing her hat-trick when beating Aintree runner-up Benson here on her reappearance and she’ll have her ground again. Jungle Jack also made a winning return to action over course and distance and has only been beaten once so far so can’t be underestimated but Fine Casting failed to land the odds at Doncaster following a promising reappearance at Cheltenham. Holmes St Georges pulled well clear at Musselburgh but has been raised 9lb and is meeting stiffer opposition today.
Jungle Jack 9-2 (12-0) Soon tracked leader, pressed leader 3 out, shaken up and led 2 out, went clear before last, ridden run-in and kept on well, comfortably, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Djelo (11-9) by 7l, 4 ran.
Esprit Du Large (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, rider lost iron briefly 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Aramax (GER) 20-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon dropped to rear, well beaten when ridden approaching 3 out, last of 7, 29l behind Lebowski (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Protek Des Flos (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Close up, tracked leaders 5 out, ridden and every chance last, led flat, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Destined To Shine (11-10) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Stainsby Girl 16-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leader, led before 4th, went clear before next, blundered 3 out, reduced advantage before next, ran on well from last, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Benson (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Romeo Brown 50-1 (10-8) Made all, hard pressed before last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Benson (10-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Fine Casting (IRE) 8-15fav (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, every chance last, ridden run-in and headed towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Rathmacknee (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Doctor Dex (IRE) (10-10) Held up in touch, not always fluent, squeezed along after 9th, got closer before 4 out, ridden and lost ground on run to 2 out, carried head high under pressure and no impression closing stages, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Calinight (10-12) at Fontainebleau 2m 3f sft in Apr.
Batman For Ever (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Led, mistake 4th, headed before 6th, remained handy, mistake 10th, lost ground quickly 5 out, pulled up, at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Holmes St Georges (FR) 7-4 (10-8) Bit keen, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, led 2 out, clear before the last, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Whizz Kid (11-10) by 13l, 5 ran.
