held up in last trio, headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, weakened between last two
tracked leaders, 2nd after 3rd until pushed along before 3 out, weakened quickly, behind and pulled up before next
in touch, weakened soon after 3 out, fell last
led until 1st, chased leader until after 3rd, went 2nd again approaching 3 out until 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before next
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, soon behind and struggling, plugged on again approaching the last, modest 4th run-in
held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led going well 2 out, came clear run-in, unextended
in touch, awkward 3rd, soon lost place, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
led 1st, clear next until after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, edged left and one pace before the last
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leaders and every chance when untidy 2 out, soon 2nd, ridden and no chance with winner run-in, held on for 2nd
The market should provide some pointers as to what's expected from several who are having their first run in this country but we'll take our cue from the fact that Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals and three of the last six. Six of the last eight winners have been French imports and COPAIN DE CLASSE looks a likely sort for hurdling having won over 1m4f at Vichy in May, despite showing signs of inexperience. Ardamir has already won over timber in France but has 10lb extra to carry and surprise Sandown scorer Darebin has a 6lb penalty. Kasakh Noir won a bumper at Argentan in September and looks the pick of the remainder.
Ardamir (FR) (10-6) won at Dax 2m 1f gd in May beating Baboukas (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Darebin (GER) 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, led going well before 2 out, clear after 2 out, hit last, driven out, won at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Duke Street (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Copain De Classe (FR) (9-10) won at Vichy 1m 4f sft in May beating Cash Machine (9-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Extreme Appeal (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden approaching straight and dropped towards rear 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Magic Kitten (8-9) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp hvy in May.
Fitzwilliam 4-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 12th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Saint Honore (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Kasakh Noir (FR) (10-10) won at Argentan 2m 2f mdn stks gd in Sep beating Cassonade (10-2) by 8l, 14 ran.
Kingston Mimosa 5-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden over 3f out, effort on outside over 2f out, soon went 4th, one pace and no impression, 4th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Duke Of Sonning (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Sep.
Major Mac 10-3fav (9-2) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Card High (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
The Coffee Hunter (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hopld tracking leading pair, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, mistake last, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 23 1/4l behind Romain De Senam (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
