mid-division, towards rear from 9th, well behind 4 out
tracked leaders on inside, every chance 3 out, driven and no impression on winner from last, one pace
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, no extra 2 out, weakened last
led when mistake 1st, headed before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led before and jumped right from 3 out, clear flat, easily
tracked leaders, not much room 2nd, not fluent 8th, disputing 5th and pushed along when went wrong and pulled up after 4 out
led until 1st, prominent, jumped right 2nd, mistake 7th, not fluent 9th, 3rd and beaten 2 out, no extra last
held up in rear, headway after 8th, one pace and beaten from 3 out, went 3rd last
held up in rear, pushed along 10th, well beaten from next
Nonrunner
Ballydague Lady has only had five opponents to beat for her two recent victories though she's survived mistakes in both and a clear round should see her in the frame. Astigos has a strike-rate of 2-49 and his only victories have come on testing ground, though he did score at Wetherby when last dropped into this grade. MERCIAN PRINCE, a winner at Auteuil in June, made an encouraging start for new connections when runner-up at Uttoxeter where he was headed at the last. With that under his belt, he's taken to go one better. Theatre Mill scored over the track and trip in September and will have found the minimum trip and fast going against him last time while Salto Chisco has won two of his five starts over fences, though both over the minimum on quick going at Fakenham.
Astigos (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Led, mistakes throughout, headed 4th, tracked leaders after, lost place before 10th, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 34l behind Bob Tucker (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Mr Grey (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Prominent, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Theatre Mill (IRE) 2-1 (11-2) Held up in touch in rear, mistake 6th, closed 8th, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, challenged last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Authorized Too (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) gf in Nov.
Crickel Wood (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, effort on inside when short of room after 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 13l behind Smoking Jacket (10-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 2nd 9th, challenged 11th, led after 4 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tiquer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ballydague Lady (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Led until 11th, mistake 13th, 9 lengths down 2 out, closed last, led close home, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Kitchapoly (11-9) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Salto Chisco (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, pushed along 2 out, clear approaching last, idled flat, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Crafty Roberto (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Unzing (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Not fluent 2nd, chasing leaders next, 2nd 8th, led 11th, headed before next, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Safari Journey (USA) 40-1 (11-5) Towards rear, blundered 8th, rider lost an iron, pulled up before 9th, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Global Dream 14-1 (11-6) Jumped left at times, mid-division, headway from 9th, mistake and weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Tiquer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
