held up, headway 3rd, soon tracking leaders, driven and every chance when mistake last, no extra
led early, remained prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out
always prominent, led after 2 out, strongly challenged approaching last, stayed on well
pulled hard and soon led, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, headway 2 out, 3rd when fell last
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 3 out, soon no impression
pulled hard in touch, weakened before 4th
held up, struggling halfway, some headway 2 out, never on terms
in touch, weakened 4th
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, left in remote 3rd at last
Kicks For Free gets the confident vote in the finale, with Tidal Bay and French Saulaie rating the main dangers. The selection was the best of these in bumpers and has made a promising start to his hurdling career, notably when beating Self Respect last time out. He looks sure to improve again and, under his optimum conditions, he is hard to oppose. Tidal Bay rates the main danger, as he won with plenty in hand last time when beating Cash Man. He is another that is sure to improve and should be closely watched in the market. French Saulaie is another that could go well as he won easily last time when beating Ice Cream. This looks much more competitive, tough, and his overall profile leaves him with a little to find. Of the remainder, Seven Is Lucky is from a yard in form and this Old Vic gelding - a half-brother to winning hurdlers Green Magical and Sully Shuffles - should be noted in the market. Still, for the winner we return to Kicks For Free, who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Kicks For Free (IRE) 1-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led on bit 2 out, ridden clear from last, won at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Self Respect (11-8) by 6l, 5 ran.
Smart Street 8-1 (10-13) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating To Tiger (10-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 1-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Cash Man (10-9) by 6l, 17 ran.
French Saulaie (FR) 5-1 (10-12) In touch and keen, led after 5th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May beating Ice Cream (10-5) by 16l, 10 ran.
Battlecry 9-1 (10-13) Headed 4f out, soon outpaced, rallied over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Cork All Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (1) gs in Nov.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, in touch, effort 5th, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Goscar Rock (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sound Accord (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) Old Vic gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers Green Magical and Sully Shuffles.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Carlitos (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Sula's Legend 9-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders and keen, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Open de L'Isle (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Turnberry Bay (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Led, ridden after 2 out, one length clear when blundered last, soon headed, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Le Rouge Fatal (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Viper 8-1 (10-13) Keen, mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 15, 15l behind Cheer Us On (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
William Bonney (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind until moderate headway from 2 out, 7th of 15, 23l behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
