led until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden and struggling before 4 out, not fluent and weakened next
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on, went never dangerous 4th flat
refused to race
held up in mid-division, struggling before 4 out
prominent on outside, ridden before 2 out, stayed on same pace
led after 1st, jumped right 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway before 4 out, switched right and went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, clear flat, comfortably
held up in touch, close up when jumped right 4 out, beaten from 2 out, weakened flat
Zoe Davidson has rekindled the enthusiasm of the once-smart Ruacana and he won twice here last month, though was possibly a lucky winner on the latter occasion and has been raised a further 4lb. The Gipper has plummeted down the weights and will have conditions to suit but he’s barely raised a gallop in three runs this term so is best watched along with Ghost Serge, having a first run for David Pipe after a break. BONNE QUESTION (NAP) ran well for a long way on his reappearance at Wetherby and was eased in the closing stages. He’s been dropped 2lb and will strip fitter here. Sky Full Of Stars can also improve on his comeback run and, likewise, Nelson's Touch. Deebaj won on this card 12 months ago but needs further nowadays.
Nelson's Touch 4-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, with leader when hit next, every chance before 2 out, weakened approaching and mistake last, 6th of 8, 26l behind Lord Of The Island (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Ruacana 13-8fav (11-4) Held up towards rear and in touch, led 6th, shaken up and clear before last, pushed out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Flaminger (10-9) by 10l, 5 ran.
Ghost Serge (IRE) (11-0) 10th of 13, 28 1/4l behind Faucon Du Bosc (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp hvy in Jun.
Deebaj (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort and no impression on leading pair from after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 34 1/2l behind Barntown (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
The Gipper (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, lost place after 6th, behind from next, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Hygrove Percy (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Bonne Question (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 15, 12l behind Mr Scrumpy (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hier Encore (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Held up and behind, progress on outside 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Song For Someone (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Shaw's Cross (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Paseo (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, niggled along after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Kenny George (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
