mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on from next
tracked leaders, weakened 6th
held up mid-division, headway approaching 5th, chased leader after 3 out, led on bit to 2 out, not fluent last, easily
held up in rear and keen, headway approaching 6th, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, one pace
held up behind, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders to halfway, weakening when hit 5th, tailed off
led, hit 2nd, headed approaching next, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, good headway to lead approaching 3rd, hit 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner
Adare Prince gets the vote over newcomers Blythe Knight and Corso Palladio, with Safin and Golden Boot also worth a mention. Adare Prince was well and truly put in his place by Battle Cry when sent off odds-on to make a winning bumper debut at Worcester last month, finishing well held in second. However, the going was reportedly too lively for the son of Supreme Leader who is expected to find conditions much more to his liking here. He has schooled well at home and is taken to get the losses back on his debut over hurdles. Jonjo O'Neill saddles Corso Palladio, successful over 10 furlongs in France on the Flat, but Tony McCoy teams up with John Quinn to ride this year's Lincoln winner Blythe Knight who can boast plenty of stamina on the dam's side. Any support for him would be very interesting, while the likes of Safin and Golden Boot are worth a mention, each having a little bit of experience to call on. For the winner we return to Adare Prince.
Acuzio 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind Fantastic Arts (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf.
Adare Prince (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden when left 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 22l behind Battlecry (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 33, 13l behind Formal Decree (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gs in Sept (Flat).
Corso Palladio (IRE) (9-4) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten behind Loup De Mer (9-4) at Clairefontaine 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug, 18 ran (Flat).
Golden Boot 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, challenged on bit approaching 2 out, hung right and hampered when mistake last, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Secret Pact (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Just Jaffa (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) In touch and keen, ridden 4f out and weakened, 7th of 14, 39l behind Victor Daly (11-4) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Dec.
Malton 80-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 6th, 9th of 18, well behind Tidal Bay (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Oops (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Not jump well, blundered 1st, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bajan Sunshine (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Proprietor (UAE) 11-2 (10-8) Behind, ridden after 5f, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 9, 19l behind Havenstone (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Assumptalina 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 23l behind Little Venus (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Dandygrey Russett (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Led and keen, clear 3rd, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened, 9th of 15, 27l behind Little Venus (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Safin (GER) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 3 out, 5th of 16, 19l behind New Team (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
