held up towards rear until unseated rider after 4th
held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 4 out, chased winner before 3 out, strong challenge run-in, upsides towards finish, just held
close up, on inside, until slightly lost place 6th, some progress approaching 4 out, ridden and beaten before next, soon eased, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened before 8th, struggling 4 out, 8th and no chance when fell 3 out
led until headed after 9th, chased winner until ridden after 4 out and weakened quickly next
chased leader, blundered 7th, led after 9th, clear when hampered by loose horse 3 out, about one length clear when hit last, strongly pressed towards finish, kept on gamely, all out
chased leaders, pushed along before 7th, weakened before 4 out, disputing well held sixth and no chance when bumped and unseated rider 3 out
keen hold, early, chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, ridden and challenging for 2nd before 3 out, one pace and no impression on front pair from next
held up in rear, some headway after 4 out, one pace and no chance when jumped left 3 out
held up well in rear, mistake 9th, headway to modest 4th 3 out, no impression
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Vodka Brook and Oneway have other engagements so the make-up of this race could change but SUNTINI could be hard to beat in any respect. Bormo and Harouet are others to consider. Suntini's most disappointing effort over hurdles came at this track which is a slight cause for concern but the rest of his efforts in that sphere read well and he won readily on his chase bow in a Lingfield handicap. He has to defy a 10lb higher mark in a stronger race but he has the scope to do so. Bormo is another with just the one chase start to his name and he shaped well enough when third behind a fair sort in testing ground at Plumpton. His failure to win a race thus far is a slight concern but there's no doubt that he has the ability to do so and he could be a threat to all. Harouet is unbeaten over fences but he did disappoint when returned to timber at Chepstow just three days later and has a little to prove as a result. However, he was very impressive when winning at Ffos Las and the run may simply have come too soon or he may just be a better chaser than hurdler. Vinmix De Bessy is capable of figuring whilst Oneway rolled back the years with a decent effort last time but a bigger threat may be posed by Green Belt Elite who has run well on both chase starts and may not be held by the handicapper just yet. Oiseau De Nuit and Royal Wedding are another two to consider in a competitive race but Suntini may be able to make the most of the weight that he receives.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Soon in touch, chased leaders 4 out, slow next, gradually weakened, 4th of 6, 12l behind Fit To Drive (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, went 2nd when pecked 3 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 9, 18l behind Bertie May (10-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
William Bonney (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Kilkenny All Star (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 15-2 (9-13) Mid-division, hampered 6th, headway next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 25l behind Consigliere (11-2) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Sou'wester 40-1 (10-7) Mistakes, always in rear, blundered 8th, tailed off, 9th of 18, 49l behind Mount Oscar (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Green Belt Elite (FR) 7-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd after 8th (5 out), challenged on inside 2 out, left with small chance as winner jumped badly right last but well held flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Royal Wedding 4-1 (10-13) Held up, took closer order 10th, ridden 4 out, 5th and held when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Psychomodo (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Bormo (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, headway into 4th soon after 3 out, chased leading pair and slight peck 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Harouet (FR) 3-1fav (10-10) Chased leader to 5th, stayed well there until mistake 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 12, 11l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-4) at Newbury 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Suntini (GER) 3-1 (11-12) In touch in 5th, headway to 3rd 4 out, 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, driven to draw clear flat, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Babe Heffron (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 3 out, led narrowly next, driven and headed and lost two places towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Bakbenscher (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) hvy.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway from 2 out, kept on well from next, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd.
