took keen hold, tracked leader, led before 2 out, mistake and narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner, every chance last, no extra in 3rd run-in
raced freely, led, mistake 3 out, pushed along and headed before 2 out, weakened and mistake 2 out, eased
tracked leading pair, 2nd approaching 2 out, led narrowly 2 out, hit last, ridden and pressed run-in, stayed on to assert final 100 yards
held up in close 5th, not fluent 5th, pushed along and went 4th 2 out, weakened before last
took keen hold, always in rear, jumped slowly 4th, mistake next, struggling when went left 2 out, tailed off
hit 1st, took keen hold, held up tracking leading trio, 3rd approaching and hit 2 out, went 2nd strong challenge and every chance run-in, no extra and held final 100 yards
BARAKA DE THAIX made a very pleasing start in this country when only giving best on the run-in behind Golden Doyen in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. He makes more appeal than stablemate Classical Art, who makes his hurdling debut and has his first start for David Pipe but did win on the Flat for Roger Varian. Bivouac is another French import but he hasn't raced since pulling up in a Listed race at Auteuil in April, while Baron Alco has more to do than when successful over course and distance last month. Storm Force Ten won twice over middle-distance in the spring and is a rare jumps runner for Andrew Balding so has to be respected.
Baron Alco (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led after 3 out, clear when idled and mistake last, kept on well under pressure, won at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (3) sft in Nov beating The Wallace Line (11-4) by 8l, 6 ran.
Baraka De Thaix (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, headway before 3rd, led approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Golden Doyen (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Bivouac (FR) (10-3) in a race won by Nicknos (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 1m 7f 3yo hdl hvy in Apr, 13 ran.
Classical Art (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again entering final 2f, ridden and headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Chesil Beach (8-13) at Chester 1m 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sep (flat).
Quebec (9-2) won at Pornichet(FR) 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks fbs in Oct beating Elsanta (8-8) by 2l, 12 ran (flat).
Storm Force Ten 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 14l behind Captain Morley (9-5) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May (flat).
