held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 3rd, lost place after next, still in touch 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 4th, well beaten approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, mistake and lost place next, tailed off approaching 4 out
tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, no extra flat
held up in rear, headway after 4th, challenged 3 out, led when jumped right next, ridden when went right again last, edged right flat, stayed on
took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 2nd, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 2 out, no impression, one pace
held up, headway 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on under pressure, no impression
led, headed approaching 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
Wetherby winner Zafranagar was only beaten half-a-length at Kempton off his new mark, though is a couple of pounds out of the handicap here along with Extremely So. Sire De Grugy was in good form last season but may need this, while there's no guarantee that Grafite will reproduce the form of his Lingfield win off an 11lb higher mark. Jump City was only beaten half-a-length by the well-regarded Darlan at Taunton but was flattered by that margin and his fair share of weight here while Highway Code has more on his plate than when successful at Exeter. Once-useful Flat performer Charm School could be interesting on his handicap debut over timber but COTILLION didn't do a lot wrong when third at Sandown earlier this month and a repeat of that effort would see him go close in this.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 9-2fav (11-4) Held up mid-division and keen, headway before 3 out, every chance before 2 out, kept on from last, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Topolski (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Jump City (FR) 7-4 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on, no impression on unextended winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Darlan (11-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Highway Code (USA) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway on outer after 2nd, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec beating Drumshambo (10-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
Grafite 2-1fav (11-5) Made most, in command when hit last and stumbled, one reminder and came readily clear soon after, won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy beating Last Shot (11-3) by 11l, 5 ran.
Cotillion 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last went 3rd final 100 yards, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Ciceron (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
Charm School 9-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader, led 3 out, narrowly headed on long run to next, stayed pressing winner and every chance last, no extra last half furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Ashbrittle (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Zafranagar (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Mid-division, close up 5th, chased leading pair 3 out, went 2nd before next, ridden and every chance last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Lucaindubai (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
Extremely So 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, effort next, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 28l behind Cinderella Rose (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
