tracked leaders, not fluent, last before 6th, struggling after next
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd before next, lost 3rd and no extra from last
tracked leaders on inside, ridden 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no impression
made all, clear when not fluent 2 out, soon edged left, went right and not fluent last, stayed on
raced wide, tracked leaders, hit 4th, challenged 6th, ridden after next, soon outpaced, no impression from 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out, went 3rd from last
Art Professor is still 6lb higher than when winning this last year and has become harder to predict as he's got older. He doesn't make much appeal this time as he was behind Party Rock at Cheltenham last April. Jennie Candlish's charge has lost his way lately while Black River only beat one home at Newbury in December and Prideofthecastle was easily beaten in a lesser contest at Exeter last month. DAWN TWISTER chased home the in-form Josies Orders over 3m2f here last time and is effective over this shorter trip. Lucy Wadham's seven-year-old deserves a change of luck and can get his reward today.
Party Rock (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Raced wide towards rear, pushed along when blundered 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Saphir Du Rheu (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Black River (FR) 7-4 (10-11) Took keen hold and held up in 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, no chance after, went modest 4th flat, 4th of 5, 11l behind Whisper (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Art Professor (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 6th, soon pushed along, mistake 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Saphir Du Rheu (11-7) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Prideofthecastle (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) With leaders, went 2nd 2 out until last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Knight Of Noir (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dawn Twister (GER) 8-1 (10-13) Held up in touch in mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway after 7th, 4th before 2 out, stayed on take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Josies Orders (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Vandross (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Led and set slow pace, headed before 4th, chased leader, already lost 2nd when stumbled badly 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied under pressure before 2 out, went 3rd soon after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Astre De La Cour (10-12) at Ascot 2m 4yo hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
