mid-division, weakened and towards rear when mistake 14th
never going and soon detached, never a factor, tailed off 10th (Bechers), pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, hit 13th (Valentines), headway chasing leaders after 3 out, went 3rd before the elbow, stayed on
led until 7th, chased leader until 13th (Valentines) chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
towards rear, some headway when hit 5 out, soon weakened
towards rear, mistake 2nd, bad blunder 9th, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened next
raced wide, headway chasing leaders 6th, hit 2 out, weakened before elbow
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th (Valentines) until 4 out, chased leaders, hung left and stayed on under pressure run-in
towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 14th
mid division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
mid-division until fell 7th
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out until after last, weakened run-in
held up and behind, slightly hampered 7th, some headway after 10th (Bechers), towards rear when blundered badly 5 out, tailed off
chased leaders out wide, lost place before 9th, towards rear and never on terms after
chased leaders, outpaced at times, got through on inside at elbow to lead, came clear run-in, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, lost place 11th (Foinavon), tailed off when mistake 12th (Canal Turn), pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 1st, fell 3rd (Chair)
chased leader, led 7th, went clear 5 out, headed at elbow, stayed on same pace run-in
NonRunner
Former King George winner Might Bite is clearly not the force of old while Modus, who eased to victory over the Mildmay fences here last month ahead of Springtown Lake, is a quirky individual, though similar types have taken to this course in the past. Things may happen too quickly here for dour stayer Lord Du Mesnil and there are similar concerns surrounding Federici but stamina could be the issue with Caid du Lin. DIDERO VALLIS made a satisfactory reappearance at Ascot, his first start since finishing second in last year’s Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. He has his ground and has plenty of winning form over this shorter trip so should give supporters a run for their money granted luck in-running. Senior Citizen is also interesting, despite a comparative lack of experience. He’s won on soft and is back in a handicap on a decent mark. Wetherby Listed winner Huntsman Son is another for the shortlist, though is probably better on less testing surfaces.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Close up, disputed lead 2nd, tracked leaders 4th, close up when awkward 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Aloomomo (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gs in Nov.
Might Bite (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Led until 10th, led and jumped left 11th, hit 14th and headed, led 16th, headed 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 14, 18 3/4l behind Regal Encore (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Modus 13-2 (11-4) Not fluent 1st, soon mid-division, closed 8th, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, clear flat, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Springtown Lake (11-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
Crievehill (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Prominent, led before 4 out, headed after 3 out, weakened from next, 8th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Nuts Well (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leader, not much room 8th, challenged 9th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Amoola Gold (10-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Oct.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leader, pushed along 4 out, pecked 3 out, no impression on winner last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Modus (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Sametegal (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leader, travelling well and every chance 2 out, made strong challenge last, stumbled last and no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Step Back (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Flying Angel (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Not fluent, mistake 3rd, towards rear from 6th, behind when pulled up before 13th, at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Dingo Dollar (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 5th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Captain Drake (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Pink Eyed Pedro 33-1 (10-4) Held up, mistake, rider lost iron briefly and lost place 3rd, closed after 8th, 6th 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on, unable to get on terms with front pair, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Greaneteen (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Touch Kick (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Mid-division, closer approaching 4th, outpaced in 4th place when hit 11th, went modest 3rd 3 out until between last 2, went left last, 4th of 11, 24l behind Legal Eyes (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Senior Citizen 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 13th, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Espoir De Romay (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.
Amalfi Doug (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, weakened 14th, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Didero Vallis (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Prominent, started to lose places 5 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Quarenta (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Beau Bay (FR) 18-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 3rd, pushed along and headed before 4 out, 4th and losing place when blundered badly 4 out, weakened, not recover, 5th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Johnbb (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Federici 13-2 (11-12) Prominent on outside throughout, travelled well 4 out when jumped to front, soon clear leader 3 out, always in command from 2 out, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Boric (10-9) by dist, 5 ran.
Swift Crusador 11-1 (12-8) Tracked leader, mistakes 9th and 10th, every chance 3 out, no extra after last, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Chef D'Equipe (12-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f (6) sft in Feb.
Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led before 6th, blundered 8th, hit 14th, ridden and headed between last 2, well held when left in lead and hampered last, idled badly towards finish, held on, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Hepijeu (11-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Huntsman Son (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway going well before 3 out, went 2nd next, led before last, pushed clear flat, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp lst (1) gs in Oct beating Two For Gold (11-5) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
