tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 3 out, no impression after, one pace from 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway after 3rd, ridden and lost place before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, closed before 5th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, brought down after 3 out
held up in rear, trying to close when hampered and fell after 3 out
led, not fluent 4th, soon headed, lost place after 3 out
prominent, hung left and led 2 out, headed last, hung left and no impression on winner towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 5th, cajoled into lead last, rider dropped whip flat, clear towards finish
prominent, led after 4th, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, lost place 5th, in rear when brought down after 3 out
always towards rear
MERCER’S TROOP left previous form behind when making his handicap debut at Plumpton. A wind operation appears to have the desired effect and Dan Skelton’s four-year-old can go one better today. Texan Nomad was another to show big improvement on his latest start, winning at Wincanton last week - he has gone up 7lb but rates a danger. Percy Prosecco remains unexposed and Star of Rory could be interesting in a race like this given he was useful on the Flat. Dyliev certainly has the form to figure but others have more scope than Caroline Bailey’s mare.
Three Bullet Gate (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, lost place after 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Rockpoint (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Incus 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Rouge Vif (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Sensible Friend (GR) 11-4jfav (10-8) Chased leader, bumped 1st, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 5th of 6, 15 1/2l behind Wind Place And Sho (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Sammylou (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, tailed off, 11th of 17, 36 1/4l behind Jimmy Rabbitte (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Texan Nomad 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Desiremoi D'Authie (11-11) by 3l, 15 ran.
Wenceslaus (GER) 7-2fav (11-0) Held up, well in touch 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Falcon Sun (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gf in Dec.
Star of Rory (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, well beaten from 6th, 9th of 13, dist behind Esprit Du Large (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Dyliev (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Chased leaders, challenged last bend, led going well before 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Chilli Romance (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Percy Prosecco 11-4 (11-4) In touch on outside, pushed along after 3 out, soon beaten, weakened before next, 4th of 9, 36l behind Elysees (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Spader (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, pulled hard, closed 3rd, remote 4th when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, dist behind Let's Sway (10-1) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Mercer's Troop (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, driven into 2nd approaching when mistake last, no danger after, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Seaweed (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Boutan 50-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Sky Marshal (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
