chased leaders, led going well over 3f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, 2nd before halfway, led 7f out, pushed along and headed over 3f out, chased winner until 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, went close 2nd 2f out, every chance when edged left 1f out, kept on
chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and struggling 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, no impression
led until 7f out, soon weakened rapidly, tailed off
held up, headway towards inside chasing leaders over 4f out, 3rd inside final 2f, one pace final furlong
last pair, pushed along and struggling 5f out, plugged on final 2f
held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders 7f out, 2nd over 3f out until 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
Nicky Henderson’s runners in this type of race are usually worth a second look but Chef Des Obeaux didn’t show much in a couple of runs in France in 2015. SGROPPINO hasn’t raced since finishing a close second at Newton Abbot in October but the first, third and fourth in that race have all won since so the form is holding up well and Philip Hobbs’ five-year-old can go one better today getting 7lb from last month’s Wincanton debut winner Sam Brown. Doncaster winner Dame Rose also carries a penalty but she looks a progressive sort and Talkischeap made a promising start under Rules when second at Warwick.
Sam Brown 4-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, pushed along and lost place on bend 10f out, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) hvy in Feb beating Lalor (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Call Me Sid 10-1 (11-7) A.p; led 21/2f out til hdd 11/2f out; r.o, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind New List (10-7) at Barbury Racecourse 2m in Jan.
Chef Des Obeaux (FR) (10-1) 7th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Calixel (10-1) at Le Mans 1m 3f stks sft in Nov.
Sgroppino (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6f out, chased leaders over 4f out, 3rd over 3f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, just held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Misterton (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Spider's Bite (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, ran out 10f out, at Kempton 2m (5) gd in Feb.
Sunshine Mountain (FR) 28-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden 5f out, soon hung left and well beaten, 8th of 9, 34l behind Glen Forsa (11-4) at Huntingdon 1m 6f mdn (6) gs in Nov.
Talkischeap (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Cirano De Sivola (11-4) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Call Claude (FR) Martaline gelding out of Aisyacall.
Dame Rose (FR) 10-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gs in Jan beating Maria's Benefit (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 18 ran.
Another Stowaway (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway before 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Drops Of Jupitor (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m (6) gd in Jan.
Hugo's Reflection (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Dawn Court.
Have This For Now (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division on inside, in touch 6f out, pushed along 5f out, soon beaten, 15th of 16, dist behind Haafapiece (10-8) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gs in Feb.
Vado Forte (FR) Walk In The Park gelding out of Gloire.
