led and set good pace, went clear 6th, reduced lead 4 out, ridden and headed before next, lost 2nd before 2 out, blundered and weakened 2 out
mistake 1st, held up and always towards rear, never on terms
keen, held up in 6th, hit 8th and lost place, towards rear, steady headway 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, never any impression
held up in mid-division, closer in 4th at 7th, mistake 11th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened and not fluent next
tracked leader who went clear at 6th, hit 10th, closer 4 out, led before next, ridden clear before last, kept on well and always doing enough run-in
chased leaders on inside, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, mistake next
chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on run-in, always held
hit 1st, held up last, bit closer before 10th, blundered next, behind when not fluent 4 out, rallied into modest 4th after 2 out, no impression
NonRunner
Sammy Bill is much respected going for the hat-trick but Aintree fourth Cap St Vincent is 11lb better today and it would be no surprise if the latter closed the gap. Gowiththeflow was pulled up at Newbury but will strip fitter today, a remark that also applies to First Drift. Erik Le Rouge was never travelling last time at Ascot but has won twice around here over hurdles so deserves a second look and Paul Nicholls is determined to find a race for Sao. MERCIAN PRINCE (NAP) has won this for the last two years and is only 2lb higher than 12 months ago. A recent run over hurdles at Catterick should have put him spot-on to complete the hat-trick.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led 3 out, headed last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Decor Irlandais (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
One For Billy 25-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place after 5th, ridden and struggling 5 out, soon well beaten, last of 7, dist behind Tiquer (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Sammy Bill 5-2fav (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Fixed Rate (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Mr Medic 28-1 (11-4) Never nearer than mid-division, losing place when reached for 10th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 10-1 (11-13) Chased leaders, jumped left 7th, slow 14th, under pressure 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Pym (11-13) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cap St Vincent (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside from 3 out, 3rd when not fluent last, one pace and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Sammy Bill (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Gowiththeflow (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake and weakened 5 out, behind and pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sao (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, badly hampered by loose horse and nearly unseated rider 2 out, kept on from last but never able to get on terms after, 5th of 13, 6l behind Darebin (11-1) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
First Drift 11-1 (11-6) Last pair, hit 4th, blundered 9th, weakened before 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out (normal 5 out), at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
