mid-division until weakened after 3 out
with winner, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, faded from last
made all, stayed on strongly, comfortably
mid-division until weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
always towards rear
mid-division, steady progress after 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 2nd flat, always held by winner
mid-division until weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, hit 2nd, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace
In the opener, Pauillac gets the vote ahead of Junior and Supsonic. Pauillac looked a horse to follow when scoring at Newbury - the form has been franked since - and he looks the one to beat here. Much as he did not prove up to Grade 1 standard last time, Supsonic still ran reasonably well and he is respected. Birkside showed plenty of promise in a light Flat career and is an interesting hurdling debutant, while, being a 12-furlong all-weather winner for Brian Meehan, Junior has to be of interest with Ruby Walsh booked. With his stable in form, the Alan King-trained French import Prince Broc has to be given some consideration. As does Silver Jaro, who showed promise at Bangor on his British debut. Having shown promise on the Flat in Ireland, Steig could also be interesting for Carl Llewellyn and, a three-time winner in Ireland in May and June of last year, Zacharova should prove better than his hurdling debut suggested. Once again, though, Pauillac is the one to beat.
River Logic (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to lead flat, won at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Carrietau (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Supsonic 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 12, 11l behind Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Pauillac (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Made all, in command from 3 out, impressive, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating King's Revenge (10-12) by 4l, 15 ran.
Birkside 9-4fav (9-2) Close up, chased winner 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Khun John (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
El Dee (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching last, headed flat, one pace under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Poker De Sivola (10-12) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
First Slip 100-1 (10-12) Mistake and ridden 5th, always rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Poquelin (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Junior 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Osolomio (8-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran (Flat).
Prince Broc (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Paradi (10-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f stk sft in Sept (Flat).
Silver Jaro (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, stumbled 6th, chased winner after 3 out until just after 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Gentian (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug.
Steig (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Tracked leaders in 2nd, improved to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Tikraar (9-0) at Bellewstown 1m 3yo mdn gf in Aug (Flat).
Zacharova (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up, hampered 3rd, effort next, weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Risk Runner (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
