tracked leader, challenged 4th, led after 6th, clear before last, stayed on well
held up way off the pace, closed before 3 out, disputing handy 3rd when fell 2 out
held up in rear way off the pace and wide, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear way off the pace, weakened before 6th, pulled up after 3 out
led, not fluent 5th, mistake next, soon headed, not much room after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
prominent, dropped off front pair before 3rd, closed after 6th, 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner before last
held up way off the pace, closed before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
held up way off the pace, mistake 5th, mistake and weakened next, left remote 4th before 2 out
held up way off the pace, headway approaching 2 out, disputing 2nd next, 3rd and no impression on winner before last, one pace
NonRunner
None of the trio making greatest appeal are proven on heavy ground but Paul Nicholls has a tremendous strike rate here and rarely leaves empty-handed and his COPAIN DE CLASSE looks temptingly treated on his first sortie into handicap company. He'll need to improve but has only had four career starts and remains open to any amount of progression. Space Oddity has been seemingly transformed by the move to front-running and there's no telling how much more improvement he has to offer, despite a 12lb rise for his last two victories. A greater danger, though, may prove to be River Frost, a similar sort to the selection and likely to progress again from last month's Kempton success.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led until mistake 4th, stayed handy, not fluent 11th, no extra from 3 out, 4th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Aso (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
River Frost 9-4fav (10-11) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, went 2nd well before 2 out, ridden between last two, 2 lengths down and starting to close when left clear last, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Cool Sky (10-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Zulu Oscar 28-1 (11-12) Tracked leader who went well clear after 2nd, lost 2nd from 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, dist behind Brelan D'as (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sirop De Menthe (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Led to 4 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 20 3/4l behind Dadsintrouble (10-3) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Space Oddity (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Led and soon clear, reduced lead and hit 3 out, ridden and narrowly headed when left clear last, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Midnight Tour (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Masters Hill (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Led early, prominent, fell 3rd, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Copain De Classe (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, tracked leader, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Shantou Rock (10-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Clondaw Shane 4-1 (11-8) In touch in mid-division, closed 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 16, 20l behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
McKenzie's Friend (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Willow's Saviour 33-1 (10-10) Held up in last trio, some late moderate headway, never threatened, 7th of 14, 33 1/4l behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
