tracked leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace
led until after 2nd, remained prominent, mistake when every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure
in touch, jumped slowly 3rd and 4th, soon pushed along, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, ran on well
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear but in touch, under pressure before 2 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, mistake when outpaced 3 out, stayed on after last into 4th closing stages, never a threat
held up in rear, headway approaching when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out
PYM had the run of the race when making all at Chepstow but the runner-up did take decent novice form into that race. Nicky Henderson’s charge is sure to have learned plenty from his hurdling debut and is fancied to defy his penalty. Fearsome probably didn’t beat much at Fakenham and also has 6lb extra to carry but Anemoi is a potentially useful recruit to the hurdling ranks and Hats Off To Larry has won three times on the Flat this year. Envole Toi won three times over fences in France but Rock Steady and Nadaitak have lengthy absences to overcome.
Fearsome 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3 out, led before last, soon clear, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Mon Port (11-4) by 16l, 6 ran.
Pym (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Made all, shaken up and pressed before last, ridden flat, asserted towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Deyrann de Carjac (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Anemoi (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Prominent, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Sebastopol (10-9) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Envole Toi (FR) (11-7) won at Auteuil 2m 1f gd in May beating Eniocanto (11-11) by 6l, 9 ran.
Hats Off To Larry 7-4fav (9-5) Raced keenly, soon settled in rear, last and plenty to do 2f out, good headway between horses over 1f out, pushed along and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, bit in hand, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Family Fortunes (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nadaitak 6-1 (8-7) Slowly away and looked reluctant early, headway on outer to go in touch 11f out, tracked leaders 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 9l behind Great Hall (10-0) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Rock Steady (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 25l behind Soldier In Action (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Nov.
