tracked winner, hit 2nd, lost 2nd briefly 10th, lost 2nd outpaced and struggling in rear 4 out
tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd briefly 10th, outpaced 4 out, rallied went
held up in 4th place, closer at 13th, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along before next, every chance when pecked 2 out, soon ridden, weakened into 3rd run-in
jumped well, made all, went clear before 7th, reduced lead 4 out, joined 2 out, in command last, stayed on gamely run-in
NonRunner
Zyon was beaten in a match on his chasing debut and Milan Bridge enjoyed a walkover at Ascot. This trip could be on the short side for the latter, though this is a stiff track. Fable and Raffle Ticket are both having a first run over fences after a lay-off but the pair have been lightly raced so far. GLOIRE D’ATHON has fewer questions to answer than most so the Huntingdon and Worcester winner can complete his hat-trick.
Milan Bridge (IRE) (10-13) won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Fable (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Mid-division on inside, pushed along before 2 out, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before the last, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Raffle Ticket 7-2 (11-9) Chased leader, close up in 3rd when emerged from fog 4 out, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Bold Endeavour (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Gloire D'Athon (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Led narrowly, headed and tracked leader 5th, led again before 9th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and pressed before last, stayed on well, always doing enough, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Pass Me By (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Zyon 11-2 (10-13) Jumped right throughout, led, headed 9th, pushed along before 13th, outpaced before next, well held 3 out, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 0, 14l behind Huelgoat (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gf in Nov.
