chased leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next
held up, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner next, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, hard driven 2 out, no impression, weakened closing stages
made all, jumped left 3 out, ridden after next, ran o n well
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, never dangerous
behind, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, never able to challenge
held up, never dangerous
in touch, went 2nd before 3rd, under pressure approaching when fell 2 out
mid-division, headway 2 out, weakened after last
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, never dangerous
Lord Napier returns to action 9lb higher than an earlier success at Perth and Dino Velvet is another with something to prove off his current mark. The latter's stablemate Jaboticaba looks to have stronger claims having been disqualified for interference after passing the post first at Hereford while both Darling Maltaix and Borak found only one too good at Taunton on their respective latest starts, though are upped in class today. SNAPDRAGON FIRE won a ladies' race in this grade at Huntingdon recently with Minellaforleisure back in third and Tom Lacey's charge gets the vote to shrug off a 4lb rise and go in again.
Lord Napier (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, hampered 2 out, beaten after, 7th and no impression last, kept on, 6th of 16, 12l behind Silver Streak (10-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Arthington 33-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 11th of 20, 27 1/2l behind Totterdown (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Dino Velvet (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd from 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 7, 10l behind Oskar Denarius (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Snapdragon Fire (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 2 out, hung right last, ran on well, clear towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Monday Club (11-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, 2nd and not much room last, held by winner and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Snapdragon Fire (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Our Merlin 33-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 3 out, ridden and outpaced before next, rallied into well held 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 10l behind French Crusader (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Jaboticaba (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, soon led, hung left flat, strongly pressed, just held on, finished 1st, placed 2nd, won at Hereford 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating World Premier (11-8) by ns, 9 ran.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 9-4fav (12-0) In rear, headway from 3 out, led soon after, ridden and headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Court Royale (12-0) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
The Premier Celtic 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 16 3/4l behind Canyon City (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Shillingsworth (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, fell 4th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Borak (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd when jumped right and landed a little awkwardly 2 out, not fluent last, driven and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Mead Vale (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up off the pace in 4th, went 3rd before 2 out, closed on 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 25 1/2l behind Pearls Legend (12-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
