mostly disputed lead, pushed along 12th, left in lead 3 out, pressed last, driven flat, stayed on and holding 2nd final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, soon not much room, again not much room and dropped to 3rd final bend, switched right before taking 2nd again 2 out, challenged last, held final 100 yards
made most until mistake 3 out, soon switched right, rallied 2 out, 3rd and held last, no extra flat
Golan Fortune, a fair fourth in last month’s Kauto Star at Kempton, will probably make the running and a decent pace would suit Next Destination, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles who stays well. This is a new trip for FIDDLERONTHEROOF but he has been staying on in races up to 2m5f and he might have more speed than the likely favourite, who is conceding 5lb, if this ends up a tactical affair.
Next Destination (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Mostly chased leader, pushed along before 4 out, led between last 2, 1 length ahead last, pushed along and kept on strongly run-in, won at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Nov beating One For The Team (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Pressed leader, ridden to lead 2 out, joined last, headed flat, stayed on close home but could not match winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Allart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) sft in Dec.
Golan Fortune (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Tracked leader until 4th, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 14th, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd before next, well held in 3rd when blundered last, lost that placing close home, 4th of 7, 8l behind Shan Blue (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gs in Dec.
