chased leader, not fluent 2nd, led final bend, drew clear flat, comfortably
chased leaders early, mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders on outside, not fluent 1st or 5th, mistake last, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
led, slow 3 out, headed final bend, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd close home
held up, mistake 2nd, jumped right and mistake 3 out, went 4th from 2 out but well behind leaders
held up in rear, raced keenly, some headway when not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, ridden 6th, well beaten from 3 out
A DISTANT PLACE was only beaten half-a-length over 2m on this card 12 months ago and again went close over 2m4f at Leicester later. A prolonged absence is a slight concern but he probably has more natural ability than his rivals. The Plimsoll Line is a danger on his third at Chepstow last month and Chanceux placed twice in bumpers. Brandy Cove was ahead of Light Of Athena over track and trip last month but was no match for an easy winner.
A Distant Place (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Midfield, restrained towards rear 3rd, travelled strongly to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and close up last, stayed on strongly flat but could not match winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Corri Lindo (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Bilboa River (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 10th of 19, dist behind Desir Du Large (12-0) at Galway 2m 5f mdn gd in Jul.
Chanceux (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden for effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Parramount (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gs in Mar.
The Plimsoll Line (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led briefly 1st, led after 4th, soon joined, headed before not fluent last, lost 2nd flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Knappers Hill (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Brandy Cove (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, novicey at times, not fluent last, pushed out after last to take second close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Honneur D'ajonc (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
Light Of Athena (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) In rear, ridden and no impression after last, never on terms, last of 4, 9 1/2l behind Honneur D'ajonc (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Oct.
Towtheline 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along 4th, soon beaten, 5th of 8, dist behind Karlie (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gf in Oct.
