chased leader after 2nd, not fluent 6th or 9th, mistake and led 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened into 4th flat
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division, before 3rd, not fluent 7th, outpaced 9th, rallied last, went 3rd flat, no impression, kept on
in rear, pushed along 3rd, not fluent and ridden 7th, headway after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon pressed, not fluent last, stayed on well flat
led into start, chased leader until after 2nd stayed handy, lost place 9th, well beaten from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, closed 3rd, hit 4th, mistake 9th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
led, mistake 5th, not fluent 6th or 9th, mistake and headed 3 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, closed on outside after 7th, challenged after 3 out, led before 2 out, soon headed, weakened last
held up, headway 3 out, challenging when mistake 2 out, hard ridden flat, held towards finish
Small Present ended last season in fine form but may be having a confidence-booster after an early mistake knocked the stuffing out of him when he made his chasing debut at Carlisle. JESUITIQUE will be hard to beat if handling the step up in trip. He’s won both starts over 2m4f since arriving from France and escapes a penalty for his latest success at Sandown. Giovanni Change and The Sweeney are both seeking a third course victory while Teescomponents Lad is only 2lb higher than when landing this last year and has been knocking on the door again recently. Thunderstruck also looks a threat as he’s gone down narrowly in two starts since wind surgery.
Flashing Glance 9-4 (11-8) Led, not fluent 3rd, reached for 9th, pushed along headed and faltered briefly before 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, mistake next, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 4, 8 1/4l behind Golden Taipan (11-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Small Present (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, blundered 4th, dropped to rear and always struggling thereafter, 10th of 11, dist behind Papa Tango Charly (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Teescomponents Lad 15-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, stayed on from last, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Bass Rock (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Giovanni Change (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Led into start, led, jumped right and not fluent 8th, mistake 9th, edged left after 3 out, headed after 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Morraman (10-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Potters Hedger 11-4 (11-5) Handy on outside, mistake 7th, challenged 4 out, led 3 out, headed before last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 8 3/4l behind Ratfacemcdougall (11-8) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Thunderstruck (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-9) Jumped right, led, not fluent 4 out, joined 2 out, 2 lengths ahead flat, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Trincomalee (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
The Sweeney (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, 4th and no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Uno Mas (10-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Jesuitique (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place before 2nd, headway approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Beauport (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
