mid-division, closed up to dispute 2nd before 4th, pushed along to chase leader 3 out, kept on, not pace to challenge winner
made all, jumped well, quickened pace home turn, pushed along after 3 out, in command and ridden out after last, readily
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, effort and headway to go 3rd before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, hit last, kept on but no match for winner
held up in last, not fluent 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, never on terms
tracked leader, hit 4 out, nudged along and outpaced before 3 out, dropped to rear, stayed on again after final flight, never threatened
A most attractive Listed contest and all are of interest for the future. Paul Nicholls fields French import, Sonigino, a dual winner across the Channel and of obvious interest, although he does have to give weight away all round. In contrast, Haute Estime receives allowances but needs to convince at this higher level, whilst Barrichello and It's Good To Laugh were effortless winners last time and are well worth a place upped in grade. Knickerbockerglory is the only one not to score last time and will need to progress for his Wetherby fourth but MIGHT I was mightily impressive when despatching Thunder Rock last month and the winner has since franked the form with a stylish Wetherby success.
Sonigino (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Always prominent, stayed on to lead near line, won at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Jun beating Monte Igueldo (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Barrichello 13-8 (10-12) Tracked clear leader until 6th, chased leader soon after 3 out, led approaching next, soon clear, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Universal Dave (11-5) by 25l, 11 ran.
It's Good To Laugh (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Pulled hard, held up in 5th on inside, good headway chasing leaders before 3 out, led soon after 3 out, quickened clear turning in, easily, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Readysteadybeau (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Knickerbockerglory (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway when ridden 3 out, not fluent 2 out, mistake last, no extra thereafter, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Harbour Lake (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Haute Estime (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Raced keenly tracking leader, led between last two, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Gym Tonic (10-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Might I (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led going well approaching 2 out, went clear before last, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) hvy in Oct beating Thunder Rock (10-12) by 11l, 7 ran.
