tracked leaders early, soon dropped into mid-division, ridden before 2 out, weakened last
held up mid-division, with leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, pressed winner last, kept on and held towards finish
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and left when hampered last, kept on and no impression
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, in 3rd and staying on when blundered and unseated rider last
tracked leader, led 5th, pressed from 2 out, held on well towards finish, driven out
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, one pace and no impression from 2 out
led, mistake 3rd and 4th, headed 5th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up
in rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
This is a tricky start as Juno The Muffinman and Valco De Touzaine both have a double penalty, though 5lb claimers are employed to ease their burden. It was soft ground when DOLLAR BILL got off the mark at Folkestone and there seems little chance that either Coup De Grace or Shamrocked will reverse that form here. Nick Gifford's charge may still be improving and gets the nod though Another Sensation is worth noting for future reference as Jonjo O'Neill's French import twice ran in Listed races at Auteuil in the spring. Inffiraaj won on the Polytrack last month but there's not a lot in his pedigree to suggest he'll take to hurdles.
Juno The Muffinman (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, took keen hold, led 2 out, ridden after last, kept on, won at Warwick 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Allusive Power (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) (10-10) 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Papy Mamy (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f hdl gs in Sep.
Dollar Bill 10-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, steady headway 4th, led before last, soon clear, cantered home, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov beating While You Wait (10-12) by 33l, 11 ran.
Another Sensation (FR) 10-1 (10-3) 8th of 13, 30l behind Le Grand Luce (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f Listed hdl 3yo sft in May.
Captain Cardington (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling 4th, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Halogen (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Coup De Grace (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, bumped 1st, tailed off 5th, 5th of 11, well behind Dollar Bill (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Shamrocked (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, wandered into 1st, bumped 4th, hit 3 out, mistake 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Dollar Bill (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Superciliary 9-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner from over 2f out until no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Tapis Libre (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Here Comes Jeanie 14-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 11, 9l behind Norfolk Sky (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Inffiraaj (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders 2f, mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Nov beating Whinging Willie (9-6) by ns, 11 ran (flat).
