prominent on outside, carried right 1st bend, challenged 3 out, one pace next, soon ridden, no chance with front pair between last 2
led to 1st, tracked winner, carried right 1st bend, lost place after 4 out, behind from next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, chased leaders again when not fluent next, weakened 2 out
led 1st, made rest, hung right 1st bend, hard pressed 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well, drew clear flat
held up in last pair in touch, ridden after 3 out, never a threat
took keen hold, held up in last pair in touch, headway on outside 4 out, chased leaders next, one pace 2 out, no chance in clear 4th between last 2
took keen hold, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression flat
Having won a Listed race by eight lengths on his debut at Auteuil, FAVORITO BUCK'S clearly didn’t give his true running when pulled up on his first start for Paul Nicholls at Kempton. It will be a surprise if he doesn't put that behind him here and he is taken to outpoint another French import, the filly Lutece, and Seven Kingdoms. David Dennis' charge won at Kempton in January but was then easily turned over by the unfancied Akavit at Sandown. Nabhan was out of his depth last time at Chepstow but seems to be struggling to last home.
Favorito Buck's (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Chased leader until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, well beaten 6th when pulled up before hurdle, at Kempton 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Seven Kingdoms (IRE) 6-4 (11-4) Held up in 4th, closed after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon one pace and beaten, left 2nd last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Akavit (11-4) at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Chief Spirit 8-1 (8-12) In touch in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Trimoulet (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Nabhan 50-1 (11-0) Not always fluent in rear, behind form 3rd, 7th of 8, dist behind Adrien Du Pont (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Sea Serpent (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 2nd, lost place before 4 out, kept on under pressure, modest 4th, 4th of 5, dist behind Gibralfaro (11-4) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Jan.
Vocaliser (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Chic Name (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Zante (FR) (9-2) 11th of 16, 5 1/4l behind King Nonantais (9-2) at Deauville 1m 4f pol in Jan.
Lutece 12-1 (10-11) 8th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Indietir (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
