chased leading trio until lost place and behind 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off
held up in touch, jumped slowly 4th and next, plugged on in 5th from 2 out, never dangerous
held up in last pair, closer before 4th, chased leaders after 8th, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden and stayed on same pace next
jumped well, made all, set strong pace until steadied approaching 4th, quickened again after 4 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
awkward 1st, held up in touch, closer in 4th at 4th, 3rd at 8th, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in rear, plugged on into never dangerous 4th 2 out
tracked winner until blundered badly 8th, chased leaders but never able to recover, weakened before 4 out
tracked leading pair out wide, went 2nd 8th, went left 3 out, ridden and no impression before last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Saintemilion will likely need his first run for Jimmy Frost. Est Illic had no chance in a Grade 2 last time having won his two previous starts but could be in the handicapper’s grip. Le Ligerien may be capable of better over fences and Shut The Box has been knocking on the door but Editeur Du Gite was let down by his jumping when favourite at Chepstow in January and will give the others a target to aim at again. DEFI SACRE (NAP) bids for a third course victory and never seems to run a bad race. He’s been dropped a further pound since his latest third at Musselburgh and deserves to get his head back in front.
Est Illic (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Led until after 5th, hit next and lost 2nd, soon left behind, 3rd of 4, dist behind Shishkin (11-5) at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Foxboro (GER) 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before 10th, towards rear and never on terms after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Defi Sacre (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 2nd, left disputing lead 5th, led after 8th, headed 3 out, no extra when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Ruinous (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Editeur Du Gite (FR) 7-4 (10-13) Chased leaders, closed 6th, mistake 8th, not fluent 5 out, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Le Ligerien (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Raced keenly tracking leaders, led going well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Before Midnight (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Feb.
William H Bonney 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, switched right off final bend, challenged well inside final furlong, stayed on but held towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Thibault (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Saintemilion (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, effort 3 out, weakened before next, last of 4, 29 3/4l behind Admiral's Secret (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Shut The Box (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, plugged on in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Before Midnight (11-4) at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Movie Legend 22-1 (11-4) Chased leader 3f, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb.
