tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, driven and headed before last, no chance with winner
led until mistake and unseated rider 2nd
tracking leader when slightly hampered 2nd, 3rd from next, went 2nd after 4 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, came clear flat, eased near finish
left in lead 2nd, headed 4th, chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd soon after last
took keen hold, held up and always in rear, struggling when mistake 2 out
held up behind leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, shaken up into 3rd soon after last, never any chance with winner
No prizes for guessing that ZAYNAR is nominated to win this on the way to a crack at either the Champion Hurdle or the World Hurdle next March. The Triumph Hurdle winner has carried all before him on British racecourses so far, winning all four of his starts, including a six length pasting of Karabak at Ascot last time. The ground will be no problem for him, he stays this trip well whilst also possessing plenty of speed, and he should win this comfortably. The race for second looks almost as interesting and Alan King's Shalone, who loves some cut in the ground and has been well placed to win four of his five starts, is taken to win that particular argument from mudlark Cape Tribulation. The latter has to give Robert Thornton¿s mount 8lbs, and that may prove beyond him, while Grade 2 novices' winner from last season, Golan Way, should improve for his reappearance and can join the debate for the minor money. Shocks here are unlikely and Zaynar can pick up another nice prize.
Cape Tribulation 3-1fav (11-8) Prominent, led 8th, soon headed, led 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 17, 29l behind Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Golan Way 12-1 (10-6) Led, headed approaching 4 out, chased winner to next, rallied to regain well held 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Mr Thriller (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Oct.
Zaynar (FR) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, led 3 out, ridden next, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov beating Karabak (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Night Orbit 15-8fav (11-5) Quickly away, led and clear to 4th, hit 7th, 2 lengths clear last, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind The Giant Bolster (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 2 out, rider lost iron briefly, good headway apoproaching last, kept on to go 3rd final 100 yds, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Loosen My Load (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.
Shalone 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 4 out, switched left to challenge leader 2 out, ridden to lead last, ran on gamely, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08 beating Tataniano (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
