led and soon clear, headed 7th, soon weakened and behind
held up in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, led approaching last, ran on
in rear and keen, not jump well, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, mistake 6th and 8th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, all out flat
tracked leaders, mistake 5th and lost place, closer order again 9th, mistake 11th and soon weakened
held up and keen, pulled way through to join leader 7th, led 2 out, gradually weakening when headed approaching last
Swing Bill has the look of a very talented French import, but has done most of his racing on ground with plenty of cut, so with such different conditions here we will oppose the British debutante with Nippy Des Mottes, who loves a sound surface. The selection also hails from the bang-in-form Paul Nicholls yard and was a little unlucky in running at Sandown last time when runner-up. With the benefit of that run plus his underfoot conditions he will do for us. Swing Bill has plenty of experience over fences in France as is not underestimated here, but until proven on faster ground there seems little point in taking short odds. Carthys Cross also likes a sound surface and can be given a chance on bits of his form, while Adopted Hero is a very interesting newcomer, though he would prefer to get his toe in here, and the same can be said of Flying Enterprise. A good contest for its type then, and we take Nippy Des Mottes to come home in front.
Adopted Hero (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Led until after 2nd, led again after 5th, 6 lengths clear after 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
All Star (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inner, 9th 5 out, 4th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 25, 6l behind Joueur D'Estruval (9-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (1) gd in Apr.
Ballyalbany (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped left 8th and 9th, headway 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, 34l behind Don't Push It (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Oct.
Carthys Cross (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, chased winner before 3 out, no impression next, weakened flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Backstage (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Flying Enterprise (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Led, headed briefly 11th, ridden when headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Borora (11-6) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Chased winner, jumped right 3 out, soon ridden, flattered briefly last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Jack The Giant (10-7) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gf.
Swing Bill (FR) (10-10) Led 3 out, comfortably, won at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl hvy in Mar beating Neobis (10-3) by 3l, 17 ran.
