held up, pushed along 4 out, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
led, headed 10th, tracked leaders, weakened 5 out, blundered 3 out
keen held up towards rear, ridden 5 out, never on terms
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway 8th, mistake next, weakened 4 out, blundered 2 out, pulled up before next
close up, headway 4 out, every chance next, led 2 out, ran on, comfortable
in rear, pulled up soon after 10th
Cobra De Mai’s last win came when beating Rocky's Treasure by 13 lengths on less favourable terms at Cheltenham but that was more than two years ago and he’s become hard to predict, like his old rival. Admiral Barratry is better suited by sharper tracks and still looks a few pounds too high. He also returns from a break, as does Minella Till Dawn. CASTLE ROBIN (NAP) made all and jumped well on his chasing debut at Exeter. A 4lb rise looks fair and he can give the weight away to four-year-old Saint Palais, who has gone up 7lb for winning at Worcester, and Kelso third Sirwilliamwallace.
Minella Till Dawn (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Jumped left 1st, mid-division, towards rear from 4th, ridden and no extra after 5 out, pulled up before next, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Castle Robin (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Made virtually all, mistake 2 out, drifted left last, ridden out, won at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Lord Accord (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Rocky's Treasure (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Tracked winner, hit 5th, dropped to 4th when bad mistake 3 out, not recover, eased, last of 5, dist behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Admiral Barratry (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent until 15th, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 31 3/4l behind One More Fleurie (10-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 6th and 14th, pulled up before 16th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 9-1 (10-3) Prominent, lost place 9th, pushed along and dropped towards rear 12th, jumped left 16th, well beaten 17th, pulled up before 4 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Sirwilliamwallace (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Handy, led 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, no extra after last, 3rd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Calipso Collonges (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Saint Palais (FR) 5-2fav (10-13) Mid-division on outside, closed from 10th, went 2nd after 3 out, edged right after next, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Velasco (11-3) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
Grange Ranger (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mistake 1st in rear, headway to track front rank 5 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 6th of 9, 28 3/4l behind Soyouthinksoagain (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
