held up, headway 5 out, led after 3 out, headed before next, rallied and every chance last, not pace of winner closing stages
led until 5 out, soon rallied, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, kept on into 3rd approaching 2 out, never a threat
prominent, led 5 out, headed after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, jumped left throughout, every chance 3 out, weakened next
held up, mistake 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 6 out
held up, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily
held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, outpaced 4 out, stayed on strongly into 4th after last, never nearer
held up in rear, headway under pressure 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out
NonRunner
Caid Du Lin is back for more having won last year’s renewal with Speredek and Marracudja filling the places. But the former found Diego Du Charmil too good over course and distance in a Listed handicap at the start of the month when Paul Nicholls’ charge attempted to run out at the last and forced stablemate Capeland through the wing of the fence. There looked little between that pair at the time and they are hard to separate in this so it could pay to stick with THE LAST DAY. Evan Williams’ charge continued his good progress over fences with a convincing success over 2m here on his seasonal bow and there looks more to come from him despite a hike in the weights. Knocknanuss returned to action with a good effort at Cheltenham and could go well again in first-time blinkers.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, steady progress 5th, went 2nd after 4 out, led before 2 out, distracted by loose horse when swerved left and jumped upright part of last fence, all out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov beating Clondaw Castle (11-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Imperial Presence (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd when fell 7th, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Ballywood (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 5th, at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Speredek (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Prominent, left 2nd 7th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Took keen hold, pressed leader, led 6th, driven when hard pressed turning in, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Saint Calvados (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Caid Du Lin (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, pushed along 8th, soon struggling, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Capeland (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, hampered 7th, pushed along after 3 out, every chance when carried out last, 5th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Diego Du Charmil (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
The Last Day (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 6th, led going well 2 out, soon clear, won at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Baby King (11-4) by 5l, 8 ran.
Marracudja (FR) 10-1 (10-8) Not always fluent, held up behind, headway after 3 out (usual 4 out), pushed along turning in, never on terms, well beaten from 2 out, 5th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Saint Calvados (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Vaniteux (FR) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway on outside on long run before 2 out, driven into 3rd between last 2, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, just held, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Saint Calvados (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Northern Beau (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Went right 1st, tracked front pair, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Saint Calvados (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
