Verdict

The enigmatic Drill Sergeant looks harshly treated on his handicap bow but there are possibilities about King's Legacy, third over this trip at Cheltenham last month. Sangfroid has been promising to win a race like this for a while but always seems to find at least one too good, while Monetary Fund tends to find little off the bridle. The lightly-raced Vagrant Emperor was just denied after a long break at Newbury and could go close but preference is for LIKE A HURRICANE. Representing last year's successful yard, the Simply Great gelding produced a nice turn of foot to land a novices' handicap at Ascot in October and further progress is anticipated now connections have found his optimum distance.

Formwatch

Chartreux (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, ridden in rear next, tailed off, 9th of 19, well behind Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.

King's Legacy (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Wide in mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd soon after 2 out, no chance with leading duo, hit last, 3rd of 17, 17l behind Grands Crus (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.

Al Co (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, lost place before 3 out, soon beaten, last of 9, well behind Harouet (10-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.

Drill Sergeant 13-2 (11-6) Led narrowly, pushed along when headed briefly after 3rd, ridden and hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Toubab (11-0) at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.

Dynaste (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden and joined last, headed soon after, no chance with easy winner, kept on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 23, 3 1/2l behind Aegean Dawn (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Benbane Head (USA) 9-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 13, 35l behind Any Given Day (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.

Sangfroid 4-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, blundered badly 7th, plugged on from 3 out, not recover, 4th of 8, 34l behind Superior Wisdom (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Nov.

Monetary Fund (USA) 9-2fav (11-3) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden and effort approaching last, led narrowly soon after last, headed flat, kept on, no extra towards finish, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind L'Accordioniste (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.

Chief Yeoman 33-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 5 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 25l behind Any Given Day (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.

Dr Livingstone (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Held up in 5th, rear and struggling 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, 42l behind Tocca Ferro (10-13) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.

Vagrant Emperor (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inside, hit 4 out, challenged next, soon upsides, ridden and every chance flat, just held near finish, 2nd of 16, hd behind Full Of Joy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.

Sophies Trophy (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden and struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Grands Crus (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.

Jokers Legacy (IRE) 11-10fav (11-13) In touch, chased leader 3rd, mistake 8th, challenged 10th, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied to chase winner 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 2nd of 6, 20l behind Cast Cada (11-7) at Southwell 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09.

Warne's Way (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) With leader on outer, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed last, rallied flat to regain lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov beating Ned Ludd (10-11) by nk, 9 ran.

Like A Hurricane (IRE) 13-2fav (11-7) Held up in touch, driven to challenge 3 out, led after next, ran on well, ridden out, won at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct beating Ballybach (11-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.

Accordingtoemandem (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Raced wide, always behind, tailed off 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Grands Crus (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 17 ran.

Gold Reef 11-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, soon chasing leaders, ran on strongly after last, led post, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs in Nov beating Lemon Silk (10-5) by 1/2l, 16 ran.

Benartic (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until weakened rapidly before 4 out, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Russian War (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct, 17 ran.

Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Prominent, pushed wide well before 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, 5th of 11, 8l behind Lord Ragnar (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft in Mar.

Firm Order (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Kauto The Roc (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.