held up towards rear, took keen hold, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, closed from 4th, disputing 2nd 2 out, led before last, stayed on flat
tracked leader, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed before last, held towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, steadied next, effort on inside after 5th, not much room 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, well beaten from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, not fluent 5th, effort when not much room 3 out, soon weakened
jumped left and not that fluent, led until after 3 out, 3rd and beaten before last
mid-division, closed 4th, jumped right 3 out, 4th and beaten next, one pace
A competitive contest in which Don Juan Du Gouet obviously catches the eye as the Daly gelding goes in search of a three-timer. However, he is now 13lb higher for those two successes and LIGHTLY SQUEEZE is a narrow preference. The Fry inmate was a convincing scorer on the Flat in September and was possibly given too much to do when a good runner-up at Warwick the last day. He remains open to progress over timber but should certainly be in the shake-up here off a mark of 112. Ashutor has a first run after both a wind op and an absence and makes the shortlist along with the solid and consistent Haafapiece.
Chelsea Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, staying on when fell last, at Stratford 2m 7f (4) gd in Aug.
Haafapiece 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, good headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Trapper Peak (11-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Ashutor (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 1st, steady progress and went 3rd approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 19l behind West To The Bridge (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Don Juan Du Gouet (FR) 7-4fav (12-7) Held up towards rear, switched left and headway on outside going well before 3 out, challenged next, soon led, stayed o, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Sienna Royale (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Illustrissime (USA) 13-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, well held 5th when hit 3 out, awkward and weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Ashington (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Furiously Fast (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, well beaten over 2f out, 13th of 14, 18 3/4l behind Sir Prize (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Thaqaffa (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Karakoram (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lightly Squeeze 2-1fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway from 4th, awkward 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Mack The Man (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Solstalla 12-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Mabela (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
