well behind, challenged for moderate 4th approaching 2 out, no chance when jumped left last 2
chased winner to soon after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
raced in 3rd, ridden and outpaced 6th, no chance 3 out
held up in 4th, headway to track leading pair 4th, hit 3 out, soon chased winner, ridden and beaten approaching 2 out, hit last 2
made all, set strong pace, headed after 3 out, quickened clear approaching 2 out, soon in command, unchallenged
Granit Jack was a shade disappointing on his British debut in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle but the likelihood is that the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, four times a winner over fences in France in soft ground, is better than that and he may be worth another chance receiving weight from Labelthou and Duncliffe. The last mentioned made a winning return to hurdling when landing a three mile contest at Ascot last month and has to be respected under similarly testing conditions today but this may come too soon for him so he looks best watched. Jonjo O'Neill's Pass It On has more to do than when winning at Leicester last time, while Chamacco looks to be out of his depth. Emma Lavelle's Labelthou put up a useful performance when making a winning return to Britain at Towcester last month but preference is for Granit Jack in the hope that he can prove his Chepstow running all wrong.
Chamacco (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, led 4 out, soon ridden, all out towards finish, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov beating Blue Splash (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Duncliffe 5-2fav (10-9) Led, headed 10th, ridden to lead again 2 out, ridden out, won at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Double Dizzy (10-11) by 4l, 7 ran.
Pass It On (IRE) 2-7fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov beating Kellbury (11-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Granit Jack (FR) 4-7fav (11-0) Held up in touch, keen, closer order 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Kanpai (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Labelthou (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Led from 2nd, made rest, not fluent 6th, clear after 3 out, eased flat, won at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Mossville (11-3) by a distance, 16 ran.
