tracked leader until before 5th, handy 3rd until after 7th, not fluent 12th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on gamely run-in, not pace to challenge
tracked leading pair, led 5th, narrowly headed before 3 out, rallied gamely last, strong challenge close home, just failed
off the pace in last pair, kept out wide in back straight, staying on in 4th when fell 3 out
off the pace in last pair, behind and struggling 11th, left modest 4th 3 out, kept on run-in, never nearer
led until 5th, chased leader until approaching 12th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
off the pace in 4th, closer in 3rd after 7th, 2nd approaching 12th, led narrowly before 3 out, ridden before the last, strongly pressed and kept on gamely close home, all out
NonRunner
Bristol De Mai has been a class act but is a thorough stayer and has been pulled up the last twice – he may not be the force of old. Two For Gold won at Doncaster on his reappearance but there would be going concerns here. DASHEL DRASHER loves the mud and is almost guaranteed to keep galloping. He holds verdicts over Itchy Feet and Master Tommytucker from last season and proved his well-being by making all in a hurdle at Newbury last month. The returning Lieutenant Rocco has changed stables yet again while Fanion D'estruval was engaged in the 2.55 at Ascot yesterday.
Bristol De Mai (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Led narrowly, headed and tracked leader 10th, pushed along before 4 out, not fluent when weakening 3 out, soon beaten and pulled up before 2 out, at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gs in Nov.
Dashel Drasher 4-1 (11-12) Made all, went clear after 3rd, 3 lengths ahead last, reduced lead towards finish, stayed on gamely, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Beauport (10-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Master Tommytucker 7-2 (11-8) Disputed lead, mistake 2nd, chased leaders after 7th, lost position after 9th, outpaced well over 2 out, held under 2 out, plugged on into 4th flat, 4th of 6, 13 1/4l behind First Flow (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Itchy Feet (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, not fluent and reminder 7th, pushed along to press leader after 5 out, ridden after 4 out, kept on well but always held by easy winner from 3 out, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Bravemansgame (11-5) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Made all, jumped well, drew clear 2 out, eased close home, won at Ffos Las 3m (4) hvy in Feb beating Nestor Park (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Two For Gold (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Disputing lead when awkward 1st, raced in 3rd and not fluent next, went 2nd at 14th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again last, idled run-in, always just doing enough, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Kauto Riko (11-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5 out, led before 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Colorado Doc (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
