waited with in last pair, smooth headway into 2nd 4 out, led on bit 2 out, soon clear, very easily
behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
led until jumped slowly and headed 3rd, chased leader until after 8th, weakened quickly and behind next, tailed off and pulled up soon after
bit keen tracking leaders, went 2nd after 8th until 4 out, chased leaders, lost 3rd 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, led 3rd (water), clear before 4 out until ridden before 2 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with very easy winner
tracked leaders in 5th, went 3rd briefly and pushed along before 4 out, 3rd again next, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly 8th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out
This is likely to be an insufficient test of stamina for Finnegan's Garden and fellow veteran Doitforthevillage doesn’t look the force of old. Sao was always travelling best when opening his account over fences at Hexham but is a quirky sort. Fairway Freddy is best on top of the ground while Flaminger has quickly gone off the boil. ATLANTIC STORM is not a confident selection but he usually runs his race and should be competitive again off his current mark. Commis D'Office has never won in this country and offered little encouragement last season.
Sao (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Close-up, 2nd jumping 2 out, smooth progress to join and head leader last, ridden clear, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Slanelough (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, some headway 5 out, no impression after 3 out, 4th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Espoir De Guye (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Flaminger (FR) 16-1 (10-5) In rear, keen early, weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Espoir De Guye (11-12) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Fairway Freddy (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, headway to challenge after 3 out, led briefly and ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, held when jumped left last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Awake At Midnight (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Commis D'Office (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, joined leader 10th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 30 1/2l behind Senior Citizen (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, led 9th, headed 3 out, tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on one pace flat, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Aubusson (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) Towards rear, tracked leaders in 4th after 5th, mistake 8th, ridden along 5 out, badly hampered 4 out, stayed on but no match for the winner, 2nd of 6, 18l behind Robinshill (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
