led, headed 2nd, tracked winner, ridden 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear
always in rear
keen in touch, close up 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next
close up, ridden to chase winner 2 out, weakened run in
close up, ridden and weakened 3 out
led 2nd, made rest, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and headway 3 out, not trouble leaders
held up, ridden and headway 2 out, stayed on run in
mistakes, held up, ridden 3 out, some headway next
held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
Nicky Henderson’s in-from yard runs two with decent claims. But Igor has his first outing since finishing runner-up at Newton Abbot in May and FRED is preferred. Placed three times in France, the latter also made the frame in a maiden hurdle at Cheltenham last month when finishing third ahead of a subsequent winner. This longer trip can see him off the mark. Sheshoon Sonny returned a losing favourite at Stratford on his reappearance and is another likely to appreciate the extra distance while Copper Coin posted a better effort over 2m4f at Aintree last month and could also go well. Sometimes Always, Papa Tango Charly and the returning Mount Batur are hurdling debutants to note.
Copper Coin 16-1 (11-0) Led, went clear after 5th until after next, joined 2 out, headed last, lost 2nd and no extra run-in, 4th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Imperial Alcazar (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Enry Iggins 40-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, lost place after 4 out, behind from next, 11th of 13, 35 3/4l behind Silver Hallmark (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Firenzo (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up behind, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off 2 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Juge Et Parti (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Flash De Clerval (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, slight mistake 1st, hampered 3rd and slight mistake next, pushed along in 6th approaching 2 out, no impression before last and kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Princess Vega (11-0) at Tramore 2m mdn gd in May.
Fred (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, close up when not fluent 2 out, driven to chase front pair between last 2, ridden after last, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Heaven Help Us (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gs in Oct.
Henri Le Bon (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, mid-division, jumped left and not fluent 2nd, lost place when slow 4th, effort 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Hang In There (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Igor Evensfav (10-12) Led, not fluent 6th, joined when mistake 2 out, pecked and headed last, held after, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dolphin Square (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in May.
Mount Batur (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Towards rear, headway on wide outside when slightly hampered over 4f out, hung badly left and plugged on final 2f, eased towards finish, 4th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Article Fifty (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Papa Tango Charly (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along and not much room 3f out, switched left over 2f out, outpaced and no impression after, 7th of 12, 6l behind Dragon Bones (10-5) at Worcester 2m (5) gs in Oct.
Sheshoon Sonny (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Imperial Flem (10-12) at Stratford 2m (3) sft in Oct.
Sometimes Always (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway on outside over 7f out, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Where's Tom (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
St Barts (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Prom; led 12-13; wknd app last, 4th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Monbeg Oscar (12-0) at Bitterley 3m gd in Apr.
The Domino Effect (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders in 5th on outside, weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Don't Shout (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Hoot At Midnight 80-1 (10-12) Behind, beaten 4 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Penny Mallow (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) hvy in Nov.
