tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 13th, led again 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on well
led to 4th, tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on and lost 3rd place close home
mid-division, headway before 11th to chase leaders, kept on same pace from 3 out
held up behind, pushed along before 12th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up
tracked leader, led 13th, headed 2 out, kept on and no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along before 13th, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous
always behind
A winner over hurdles and fences in France, Camping Ground is hard to assess on his first start for new connections. FIVE STAR WILSHAM's chances are more obvious as he scored by 10 lengths at Wincanton last time and a conditional negates most of an 8lb rise in this. He gets the nod ahead of Tenor Nivernais and Ackertac, who finished in close proximity behind Rebel Rebellion at Ascot last time. Wilton Milan remains 11lb higher than his win at Newbury in November and Al Alfa reverted to type at Kempton last time having won at Cheltenham before that. Ohio Gold is nicely treated but can be hard to catch right.
Camping Ground (FR) 11-4fav (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 4yo hdl sft in Mar beating Alex De Larredya (10-10) by 9l, 7 ran.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 11th, well outpaced 4 out, rallied and kept on well run-in, went 4th close home and almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 12, 10l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Wilton Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Held up in 4th, headway 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Close Touch (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Ackertac (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division on inside, steady headway 12th, chased winner before 3 out, every chance when bumped 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, chased leaders disputing well held 3rd, weakened into 5th close home, 5th of 12, 10l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Al Alfa 8-1 (11-1) Chased leader, mistake 13th, led 4 out, already headed but still every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 9, 23l behind Ardkilly Witness (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan.
Ohio Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 10th, 4th before next until mistake 3 out, weakened soon after, poor 5th when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Smiles For Miles (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
