keen tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, tracked leaders, not fluent next, weakened flat
pressed leader until approaching 2 out, tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
raced wide close up, pushed along and headway 2 out, led last, ridden and headed when rider dropped rein inside final furlong
in touch in rear, pushed along 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed next, stayed on one pace
Very Excellent’s second at Cartmel hasn’t been franked but a case can be made for last month’s Newcastle winner Moonlight Glory. Heross Du Seuil was just beaten off this mark at Southwell in October and Start In Front has been dropped 3lb since his reappearance but LADY GWEN has been on a bit of a roll since teaming up with Kai Lenihan and can take this step up in grade in her stride.
Moonlight Glory (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway home turn, pushed along and led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, always doing enough, won at Newcastle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Imaginary Dragon (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Heross Du Seuil (FR) 13-2 (12-0) Close up, lost place 4th, pushed along and headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Baddesley (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Start In Front (FR) 4-1 (10-2) Held up last, went modest 3rd 3 out, never any chance with unchallenged winner, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Richmond Lake (12-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Parikarma (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Towards rear, minor headway after 3 out, slow jump 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 29 1/2l behind Isabella Bee (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Very Excellent (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Raced in mid-division, went second after 2 out, ridden to lead rounding home turn, kept on well but headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Young Merlin (10-13) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Lady Gwen 5-2jfav (11-11) On her toes lining up, well away, held up disputing 5th, closer in 4th place 4th, went 2nd home turn, led narrowly 2 out, kept slight advantage, ridden before last, battled on gamely to assert final 150 yards, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Minella Plus (12-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
