in rear, not fluent 1st, well behind 3rd, left remote 4th 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, 15 lengths off winner and closing when mistake last, ran on and went 2nd flat, not quite reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, soon went 2nd, about 5 lengths off leader when left clear 4 out, reduced lead flat, just held on
jumped left at times, held up, well behind from 3rd, left remote 3rd 4 out until 2 out
led, about 5 lengths clear when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
held up, well behind 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 5th
chased leader until after 8th, left 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd flat
NEXT EXIT was 20lb out of the handicap when beating Unify a length-and-a-half here 10 days ago. Even with a penalty, he is actually better off at the weights today with the runner-up and may well confirm running as long as the ground stays fast. Caprice D'anglais ran six times over fences in his native France but never managed a place and a giant leap of faith is required to think he’ll fare any better in this country. The others are best watched unless attracting market support.
Opechee (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Hit 1st, tracked leader, joined leader 3rd until 4 out, soon in rear, weakened next, last of 5, dist behind Dothraki Raider (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Unify 15-8fav (11-12) Led until approaching 3rd, chased winner until 4 out, chased leading pair, ridden after 2 out, rallied under pressure run-in, went 2nd 100 yards out and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Next Exit (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) fm in Nov.
Diamond Life 3-1cfav (11-10) Led until 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, stayed handy, mistake and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Caprice D'anglais (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Led, clear when hit 3rd, reduced lead 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, chased leading pair, ridden and one pace last, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Amantius (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gd in Dec.
The Society Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 5 out, soon outpaced, no impression when pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Next Exit (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, made rest, slightly hampered by loose horse after 11th, clear 3 out until ridden before last, kept on gamely run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) fm in Nov beating Unify (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
