towards rear and keen, closer order after 4th, weakened after 6th
led, headed 3rd and stayed prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
soon in touch, weakened after 4th
held up mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, led approaching last, all out
mid-division and keen, behind from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 5th
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened after 4th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 4th, weakened approaching next
in touch, ridden and weakened after 4th, jumped slow and tired 2 out
in rear when mistake and fell 4th
with leader, led 3rd, headed after 2 out, one pace approaching last
This doesn't appear to be the strongest of contests and we will side with Alan King's newcomer Onyx D'Ace, with Golden Oak and Khasab the best of the rest. Alan King has his stable in cracking form and this looks a good opportunity for his ex-French recruit to make a pleasing hurdling debut. He showed a modicum of ability in seven runs on the flat, and should handle today's ground. With his stable flying, he looks the value call, although if he were to be totally devoid of market support, it could be best to focus on Jonjo O'Neill's Golden Oak. He ran well for a long way when back from a break a fortnight ago at Huntingdon. His bumper form looks rock solid, and if stripping fitter today then he will have obvious claims. Khasab is an interesting newcomer from the Hobbs yard so should be monitored in the betting, whilst Master Somerville may appreciate this drop back in trip and could show some better form. Cliffords Girl could go well if improving on her debut run where she fell late on, however we will return to Alan King's newcomer Onyx D'Ace to go well at a decent price.
Castlemainevillage (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind City Streets (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dad Says Heazle 40-1 (11-5) Led until 5th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 37l behind Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft.
Golden Oak (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leader until after 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 26l behind French Saulaie (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Khasab (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of an unraced mare.
Marado (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, well behind Ordre de Bataille (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Master Somerville 7-2 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 13, 42l behind Im Spartacus (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
No Complaint (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run after 3 out, no further impression, 8th of 17, 22l behind Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Onyx d'Ace (FR) Simon du Desert gelding out of a twice-raced mare.
Ozymandias (FR) (10-3) In touch to halfway, pulled up before last behind East Road (10-3) at Enghien 2m 1f amt hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov, 11 ran.
Quantock Venture 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, 13th of 18, more than 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led to 1st, in touch until weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Nictos de Bersy (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Willandrich (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, behind when pulled up in race won by Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft, 17 ran.
Cliffords Girl 25-1 (10-5) Never fluent, behind, pecked 3rd, lost touch 6th, beaten when fell 2 out in race won by La Grande Villez (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Luccombe Bay 40-1 (10-13) Took keen hold in rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Youll Do For Me (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
President Royal (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 3rd until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Benetwood (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Grand Welcome (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Revolve (9-12) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Dec (Flat).
