took keen hold, held up in rear, closer order travelling well before 3 out, went 4 lengths 2nd on bit approaching 2 out, upsides and hit last, soon led, ridden clear
towards rear, last and struggling after 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along after 5th, led 3 out, 4 lengths in front 2 out, joined and mistake last, soon headed and not pace of winner
took keen hold, chased leader until 3 out, 3rd and well held when blundered last
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after
raced keenly and tended to jump right, led, clear before 3rd where went right, jumped slowly next, reduced lead when headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
took keen hold, held up towards rear, weakened before mistake 3 out, tailed off
Mercoeur has already had starts in France and three in this country and doesn't appear to be getting any better. But he did finish well ahead of the similarly exposed Zephyr at Fontwell in October. CAPE CASTER was a decent performer on the Flat over middle distance this year, winning at Windsor and Salisbury. He looks the type to make a hurdler and may have too much speed for these. Eddiemaurice won four times on the Flat up to 1m1f but his best form came when the ground was on the fast side of good.
Cape Caster (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on and held inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Kleo (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (flat).
Dream And Search (GER) 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, well beaten over 1f out, last of 13, 21l behind Speedy Writer (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, 2nd 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 10l behind Latin Charm (8-10) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct (flat).
Mercoeur (FR) 11-4 (10-7) Led, hit 2nd, clear to 6th, headed 2 out, no impression before last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 17l behind Jayo Time (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Zephyr 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 37l behind The Wallace Line (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Koliakhova (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Led, hit 1st, headed 4 out, lost place when not fluent next, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Golden Doyen (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Southern Cross 7-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hickster (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) (flat).
