held up in touch, effort 2 out, every chance when jinked right and unseated rider before last
held up in rear, took keen hold, outpaced after 2 out, well beaten before last
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and squeezed through on inside after 2 out, every chance when jumped left last, stayed on same pace flat
led until 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, closed 2 out, outpaced before last, no impression on leaders
tracked leader, led 2 out, headed after last, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders on outside, hanging badly right and lost place before 3rd, behind 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 2 out, one pace when hampered before last, went left and well held 5th at hurdle
held up, headway 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well, drawing clear towards finish
Nicky Henderson sent out the winner of this three times in a row between 2009 and 2011 and BADEN could be anything after changing hands for big money following a cosy win in a point-to-point at Bartlemy in May. He'll certainly know his job and can get the better of Paul Nicholls' French import Politologue, who has to concede 10lb to his rivals. Drumlee Sunset jinked and got rid of Richard Johnson on the level here last month but had finished second at the track on his hurdling debut and is still a nice prospect. Dexcite will surely be winning soon but is more exposed than the others while this looks a tough start for dual bumper winner Nicely Indeed. North Hill Harvey will also find easier opportunities in the weeks ahead.
Politologue (FR) 13-2fav (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 2f gd in Jun beating Brut Imperial (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Alyasan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4th, outpaced after next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Mister Miyagi (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Baden (FR) 5-2 (11-9) Ww rr, 9th 5out, prog in 6th 2out, clsd bef last & row to ld 50 yards out, snugly, won at Bartlemy 3m mdn in May beating Minella Suite (11-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Boston De La Roche (FR) 4-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 5th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Go Long (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Dexcite (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Behind, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, 11th of 17, 18 1/4l behind Old Guard (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Drumlee Sunset (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led when jinked right and fell soon after start, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
King Simba (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Holly Bush Henry (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Nicely Indeed (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged on outside over 4f out, ridden and effort when hung left inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, won at Stratford 2m (6) gd in Sep beating Amber Spyglass (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
North Hill Harvey 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, ridden and 3 lengths off winner when blundered 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Barters Hill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
