tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, effort and every chance 3 out, soon one pace, lost 2nd flat, no extra
not fluent early, held up, headway after 4 out, led going well before next, drew clear from 2 out, comfortably
led, hit 4 out, headed before next, soon weakened
Despite the small field it is hard to be confident about anything here but SATICON may be most suited by this trip and is preferred to Giorgio Quercus. Alan King's yard seem to be experiencing a slight lull since Aintree but Saticon could bounce back here. He is dropped in trip which will suit, his third in the Fred Winter looks solid form and he should go close to gaining his second win over hurdles. He has the maximum penalty along with Nicky Henderson's Giorgio Quercus. A French recruit at the start of the season, things haven't really gone according to plan since a debut win at Hereford and he has plenty to find on Fred Winter running with the selection, but he did win on his sole start north of the border and cannot be overlooked. Apartman failed to complete in a tough Grade One at Aintree, but his second to Sir Tantallus Hawk at Newcastle is working out well enough, whilst Marc Aurele seems to be improving with each start and he receives plenty of weight from his main rivals. A tightly-knit contest where preference is for Saticon.
Giorgio Quercus (FR) 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, raced keenly, mistake 3rd, headway on outside before next, beaten before last, weakened flat, 10th of 22, 23l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (4yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Saticon 7-1 (10-10) Towards rear, never really travelling, lost touch before 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs, 17 ran.
Apartman (CZE) 200-1 (11-0) Prominent, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, chased leader from next, not fluent and led 5th, headed after next, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Walkon (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gd, 13 ran.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd and hit 4 out, challenged from 2 out, upsides winner and every chance last, ridden and readily held flat, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Riverside Theatre (11-6) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
