Despite still showing signs of inexperience, Destrier only had to be pushed out to make a winning start over hurdles at Leicester and it will be a surprise if third Melangerie manages to turn the tables, despite being 6lb better off. However, the latter’s yard also run Royal Ruby, who looked all at sea around the tight turns of Fakenham last month. WESTERN RYDER (NAP) was a smart performer in bumpers last season and made amends for an early departure at Stratford when landing the odds at Chepstow – he may have too much speed for these.
Destrier (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, switched right before 2 out, challenged last, led and edged right flat, driven out, won at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Doc Carver (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Western Ryder (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, not fluent next, switched left before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Bang On Frankie (10-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Arthur's Reuben 100-1 (11-0) Steadied start, took keen hold, always in rear, 13th of 15, dist behind Indian Hercules (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Baileys Galaxy (FR) 200-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, last of 12, dist behind Whatmore (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Breslin 200-1 (11-0) Raced wide, chased leaders and keen, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Mr One More (11-5) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Bridge of Cally (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Disputed lead, jumped right 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened before mistake 2 out, 5th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Django Django (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left 2nd, weakened 3 out, rallied closing stages, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov.
Dream Baie (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division and slight mistake 1st, soon improved to chase leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no extra in 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Midnight Stroll (11-10) at Galway 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Everybody's Talkin (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Pulled hard, mistake 1st, tracked leader, led 5th, joined 7th, headed before 5 out, rallied after 3 out, mistake next, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 23l behind Shannon Bridge (11-0) at Bangor 2m 7f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Mickieblueeyes (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, mistakes 6th, mistake and lost place, next, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Tikkanbar (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Red Hot Chilly (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 8f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Big Country (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Royal Ruby Evensfav (11-0) Prominent, not much room 5th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, one pace and lost 2nd last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Free Range (11-0) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Telson Barley (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 15th of 16, dist behind Good Boy Bobby (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Nov.
The Draconian (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, lost place before 3 out, 8th of 16, 29 3/4l behind New To This Town (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Toosey 100-1 (10-12) In touch, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 6th of 13, 22 1/4l behind If The Cap Fits (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Melangerie 7-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, every chance 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Destrier (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Nov.
