tracked leader, hit 3 out, led 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, readily outpaced run-in, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, plugged on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, weakened on long run before 2 out
raced keenly in rear, lost touch4 out, tailed off when went right 2 out and pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along on long run before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led last, quickened readily clear run-in
raced keenly, always behind, weakened 3 out, tailed off
bit keen, held up in last pair on inside, plugged on in 4th between last 2, never on terms
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
Ecco has begun to fulfil his potential this season but, after back-to-back victories, was a shade disappointing when only third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month. Stablemate Red Force One and the other penalised runner, Getaway Fred, probably also need more but there should be more to come Southwell runner-up South Seas with this sharp track likely to suit Dan Skelton’s former miler. Touchthesoul has already shown ability but we’re prepare to take a chance that the four-year-old filly VEGAS BLUE will know her job. She’s been very impressive in a couple of bumpers and gets all the allowances.
Ecco 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden and outpaced by front pair turning in, no impression in modest 3rd before last, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Hang In There (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Getaway Fred (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Made all, pushed clear between last 2, stayed on well, readily, won at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Shang Tang (10-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
Red Force One 11-4fav (10-12) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Not So Sleepy (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ballycloven Beat (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged over 7f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Minella Tara (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec.
Fred (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Close up, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened run in, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Igor (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) sft in Nov.
South Seas (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind First Lord De Cuet (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Touchthesoul (ITY) 11-8fav (11-0) Led, headed when not fluent 3 out, led again before next, headed last, faded flat, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Calva D'Auge (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Vegas Blue (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 3f out, clear final 2f, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m lst (1) gs in Dec beating Wynn House (11-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
