towards rear, struggling from 6th
towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
mid-division, in 4th from 3 out, in 3rd and one pace from last
towards rear, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway to track leaders from 4 out, in 2nd before 2 out, well held in 4th when fell last
chased winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held run-in
made all, ridden before last, kept on well
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, mistake and lost place from 4 out
A competitive Class 2 contest with Nicky Henderson double-handed via Colonial Dreams, who looked in need of the run last time, and Settie Hill, returning after an absence of over 600 days. Both are respected but also hard to be really confident about and therefore TEA CLIPPER is the preference. Tom Lacey's gelding is unbeaten and gives the impression he's sometimes only doing just enough. However, as a consequence, the handicapper has not been overly harsh on him and he should be involved at the business end off 10-12. The two heading the weights also return from major absences and are best watched, whilst Sleep Easy and Cristal Spirit have place claims from the foot of the weights.
Virgilio (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Always in rear, weakened and pulled up after 14th, at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Messire Des Obeaux (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, led after 4 out, headed before last, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 13, 6 1/4l behind Finian's Oscar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Settie Hill (USA) 1-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 4 out, poised to challenge after next, led turning into straight, clear after 2 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Jun beating Ballydun Oscar (10-13) by 14l, 7 ran.
Colonial Dreams (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Raced keenly tracking leaders, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Dorking Boy (10-2) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, progress on inside 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 15, 19 3/4l behind Gumball (11-6) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon bumped and led, awkward and headed last, stayed on, led again towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Magic Dancer (11-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Cervaro Mix (FR) 20-1 (11-11) Held up and behind, closer on outside approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 15, 16 3/4l behind Annsam (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Linger (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up rear of mid-division, last 3 out, well behind from next, 9th of 11, 30l behind Back On The Lash (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Sleep Easy 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, plugged on run-in, never on terms with leaders, 6th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Limited Reserve (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Cristal Spirit 12-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 6th, led before not fluent 2 out, soon went clear, stayed on, won at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan beating Enzo D'Airy (11-4) by 19l, 7 ran.
