set steady pace until headed and settled in 3rd place 2nd, ridden no impression on leading duo when lost 3rd 2 out, plugged on
held up in last trio, headway after 3 out, went modest 3rd 2 out
tracked leaders, led on bend after 3 out, joined and not fluent 2 out, pressed when blundered last, soon headed, rallied to regain lead final 150 yards and soon asserted
held up, tracked leaders 4 out, 2nd on long run before 2 out, challenged 2 out, upsides last, soon led, headed final 150 yards and soon no extra
pulled hard, led 2nd, hung badly left and headed on bend after 3 out, weakened rapidly
took keen hold, tracked leader after 2nd until after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on
never fluent in last pair, tailed off 3 out
awkward 1st, never fluent, last pair, struggling 3 out
This looks a cracking contest and it would be no surprise to see a number of these upped in class in the coming months. Vancouverite, a Group 2 winner on the Flat, has won two of his three starts over timber but this is easily his toughest task to date. Ch'tibello made the unbeaten Francis Of Assisi work hard at Fakenham and will strip fitter here. Another French import, Britanio Bello, has scope while Chartbreaker was a useful performer on the Flat in Germany. Guillaume Macaire has sent over Descartes, who bids for a hat-trick after winning twice at Auteuil. He's much respected but has to give 4lb to ALTIOR (NAP), who also looks a smart prospect. Nicky Henderson's charge won as he pleased on his hurdling debut at Chepstow, despite racing keenly. The second has franked the form since so he looks the one to beat.
Descartes (GER) (11-7) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Biladi (11-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Vancouverite 2-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, led before last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating Where's Tiger (11-5) by 12l, 12 ran.
Altior (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Took keen hold, always prominent, led when left well clear 3 out, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Murray Mount (10-12) by 34l, 10 ran.
Ch'tibello (FR) 10-3fav (11-5) Led, hit 4 out, ridden 3 lengths clear soon after 2 out, joined last, headed final strides, 2nd of 3, nk behind Francis Of Assisi (11-12) at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Britanio Bello (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bricquebec (10-7) at Compiegne 2m 1f hvy in Jun.
Centurius 12-1 (11-0) Held up on outside, not that fluent, headway after 5th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Puisque Tu Pars (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) gd in Mar.
Chartbreaker (FR) 10-3fav (8-13) won at Compiegne 1m 6f stks gs in Jul beating Front Pop (8-13) by 4l, 6 ran.
Master Burbidge 50-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 11, dist behind Predominance (9-5) at Chepstow 7f mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.
Star Foot (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 1st or 3 out, challenged after 2 out, led before last, soon headed, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Arctic Gold (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
