tracked leading pair, not fluent 5th, dropped to 4th 7th, 3rd again briefly 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, modest 4th before next
tended to jump left, made all, went left and hit 8th, 1 length ahead last, stayed on gamely run-in
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, 2 lengths down when pecked 2 out, 1 length down last, driven and stayed on run-in, always just held
took keen hold early, held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along and one pace when hit 2 out, no chance with leading duo
keen in rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, tailed off
chased winner, hit 1st and pecked, lost 2nd 8th, mostly chased leading pair, mistake 4 out, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out, hit last
Kerry Lee saddled the winner of this last year and saddles the top two in the handicap today. TOP GAMBLE (NAP) usually races over a bit further but is a dual Grade 2 winner over 2m and there will be no hanging about here with stablemate Gino Trail and all-the-way Warwick winner Big Jim in the line-up. James Bowen’s mount could have the race run to suit and gets the nod. Cepage is bidding to give Venetia Williams a third win in this in four years and he’s sure to strip fitter for his second at Ascot. Dolos is the least exposed but will need to do much better than last time while Somchine is struggling at present and looks held on the form book. 1.50
Top Gamble (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 8th, challenged 4 out until before 2 out, disputing one pace 3rd last, 4th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Ballyhill (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Gino Trail (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Led until after 2nd, pressed winner, led again 5th, went left 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, plugged on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Speredek (10-11) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Dolos (FR) 7-2 (10-8) Chased leader, led 3rd until well before 2 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened, eased, last of 3, 35 1/4l behind Benatar (11-0) at Ascot 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Cepage (FR) 11-2 (10-0) Not fluent 1st, held up last, pushed along and outpaced after 7th, headway approaching 2 out, 3rd 2 out, went 2nd run-in and closed near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Somchine 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 6th, outpaced next, not fluent when struggling 4 out, well beaten after next, 5th of 6, 28 1/2l behind Big Jim (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Big Jim 5-2jfav (10-13) Made all, clear 3 out until last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Imjoeking (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
