held up towards rear, headway from 8th, ridden after 3 out, ridden to go 2nd and hung left after 2 out, led lastm, stayed on well
always well behind, tailed of from 6th
in touch, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened under pressure before next
not fluent 4th, always well behind
prominent, mistake 6th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, driven approaching 5th, dropped out after 7th
held up mid-division, shaken up after 8th, headway when mistake 3 out, ridden to dispute 2nd when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, stayed on
always prominent, not fluent 8th, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, one pace flat
made most to 3 out, ridden but still every chance when went lame and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 8th, no extra flat
pressed leader to 3 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened well before 2 out
Pantalimon is the choice to land the finale over Strong Coffee and Innominate. Henry Dalys' charge made a highly promising seasonal debut in what was a hotly contested Ascot novice hurdle recently. The step up to three miles will suit - half brother to Alderburn - although a slight worry is his vulnerability to a rival with a turn of foot in the closing stages. Strong Coffee again made a promising seasonal debut and with decent bumper form to boot is likely to be thereabouts. Innominate has strong credentials on the basis of a second to Coe on his most recent start. Coe advertsied that form with a second placing at this venue in a Grade 2 event last weekend. It is worth nothing that the stables runners have been performing poorly of late. With that in mind we give our vote to Pantalimon.
Bewery Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 13, 19l behind Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Cardinal Spirit 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Darazari Bay (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, pushed along after next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Coe (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Heathcliff (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Behind, reminders after 5th, headway 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 15, 49l behind Master Builder (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Innominate (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 7th, headway 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Coe (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Master Marmalade 125-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden and weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Mythical Son (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fondness (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Nessen Dorma (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Led to 4th, led again after 5th, headed 6th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 11l behind Our Jim (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Nosferatu (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) In touch, chased leaders approaching 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 16l behind Starting Point (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Orchard King (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, chased leader 4th, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 25l behind Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Pantalaimon 9-2 (11-0) Led, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and headed, slightly hampered last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Strong Coffee 16-1 (11-7) Chased leader, ridden and joined leader 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on from last, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Sylvan Shack (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders to 5th, 10th of 15, 48l behind Honour's Dream (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Tip Toes (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) fell in race won by Run To Me (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Smiling Applause 16-1 (10-8) Held up, effort and headway 8th, chased clear winner 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Roaringwater (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 7f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Oct.
Young Brave Commanche Run gelding, brother to winning hurdler Commanche Sioux and chaser Young Brave i.
