midfield, tracked leaders 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out
led, pressed 4 out, headed after 2 out, kept on run-in to hold on to second but held by winner
tracked leaders, lost position 8th, dropped to rear 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
midfield, pushed along home turn, weakened from 3 out, left in modest fourth 2 out
prominent, disputed lead 4 out, mistake 3 out, ridden before 2 out, rallied on run-in to press runner-up close home
in rear, blunder 2nd, headway to move in touch 7th, headway to track leaders 4 out, led after 2 out, kept on well run-in
prominent, pushed along but lost position 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up in home straight
Glajou went up 7lb for his victory at Southwell and looked like winning again at Taunton but couldn't quite go through with it over an extra 2f. MOLINEAUX dropped back to the minimum in a Class 2 handicap at Ludlow and though no match for the winner had the remainder a long way back and can go one better. The veteran Gardefort produced a fine effort when runner-up in a Class 2 handicap at Ascot but isn't the safest of jumpers while Zalvados is on a very long losing run. Jackson Hill is consistent enough but is still a maiden after 16 starts.
Glajou (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Midfield, raced keenly, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, almost led jumping last, could not go with front pair late on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Master Work (11-0) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Molineaux (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, pushed before 4 out where contested lead, ridden before 3 out where led, joined last, kept on behind comfortable winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Admiral's Secret (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Gardefort (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Led until before 9th where dropped to 3rd, 2nd before 11th until before 3 out (normal 4 out) went 2nd again after next, 3 lengths down last (normal 2 out), just held on for 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Bennys King (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Zalvados (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden before 4 out, went second before 3 out, stayed on without threatening winner, lost second close home, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Victory Echo (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dandolo Du Gite (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Contested lead, tracked leader jumping 2nd, joined leader 7th, 2nd jumping 8th, pushed after 3 out, slow 2 out and soon weakened, 6th of 7, 17l behind Master Work (11-0) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Jackson Hill (IRE) 13-8 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2 out, ridden approaching last, no impression, last of 3, 3 1/4l behind Pasvolsky (11-8) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Royal Plaza 18-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led after 5th, pressed and joined on both sides 7th, headed after 5 out, pushed along in 2nd when fell 4 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
