held up in rear, slow 5th, in touch 7th, not fluent 9th, 2nd 3 out, driven and no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd and one pace
held up in rear, in touch 7th, a little awkward 3 out, shaken up and not quicken, rallied flat, went 2nd but no impression on winner
tracked leaders, 2nd 5th, not much room and pecked 8th, led before next, jumped left 2 out and last, clear flat, stayed on
chased leaders, badly hampered and unseated rider 7th
took keen hold, not that fluent, led 2nd until 4th, close up when fell 7th
led until 2nd, led 4th, mistake next, jumped right 8th, headed before next, 4th and no extra 2 out
Red Devil Star showed more resolution than CHAMPAGNE AT TARA at Ascot last month and secured a neck verdict. The runner-up is only a better off so there shouldn’t be much between the pair again but Jonjo O’Neill’s charge is fancied to come out on top today on this slower surface. Max Ward was beaten when falling at Kempton on Boxing Day and Theatre Flame also needs more. Britanio Bello has yet to show anything over fences and Zigger Zagger returns from a break - both are racing from out of the handicap.
Champagne At Tara 5-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, went handy 4th 8th, 3rd before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden and upsides last, every chance run-in, no extra in closing stages, 2nd of 7, nk behind Red Devil Star (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Max Ward (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied on inside before 3 out, pushed along and held in 5th when fell 3 out, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Theatre Flame (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leader until pushed along before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened between last two, 7th of 10, 11l behind Darebin (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Red Devil Star (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Tracked leader until 2nd, chased leading pair, hit 5th, 2nd again approaching 4 out, led approaching 2 out, joined last, strongly pressed and edged left run-in, battled on gamely and found extra close home, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Champagne At Tara (11-7) by nk, 7 ran.
Britanio Bello (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, towards rear, headway 6 out, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Truckers Glory (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Zigger Zagger (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, mistake 8th, chance when went left 3 out, blundered and lost 2nd next, chased leading pair but not recover, weakened between last two, 5th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Keppel Isle (10-0) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
