chased leader until before 3rd, mistake and lost place 7th (water), mistake 4 out, soon well held, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch on inside, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths off leader when hampered and left in clear lead 2 out, stayed on
led, 2 lengths up when fell 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 4th, closed 7th, outpaced 3 out, well held when left 3rd 2 out, pressed for 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 4 out until 3 out, soon held, left 2nd and hampered last, no impression on winner
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, left 4th and hampered 2 out
FUSIL RAFFLES had subsequent Uttoxeter winner Gumball well behind when making a winning start over the larger obstacles. He followed up over these fences last month and will be a warm order to complete the hat-trick. Quel Destin was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and a recent victory on the Flat will have brought him to concert pitch. If his jumping stands up to the test, he is a danger. Eldorado Allen’s win at Newton Abbot hasn’t worked out, however, while Le Patriote had only two rivals at Market Rasen. Zarkareva has won at Sligo and Punchestown and gets all the allowances but she may find a couple of these too good.
Fusil Raffles (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Tracked leader, travelled nicely before 2 out to lead, jumped last well, stayed on flat, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct beating Sir Valentine (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 4 ran.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 5th, challenged 2 out, led and mistake last, stayed on, won at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Stormy Ireland (10-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Gumball (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Led early stages, headed 3rd and chased leader, pressed leader 3 out and regained lead, 5-lengths clear last, comfortable close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) sft in Oct beating Ubetya (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.
Le Patriote (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, smooth headway to lead narrowly 3 out, 4 lengths clear 2 out, kept on well on run-in, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (3) gd in Oct beating Pic D'Orhy (11-2) by 4l, 3 ran.
Quel Destin (FR) 5-4fav (9-12) Held up, progress and going well 3f out, pushed along to lead 1f out, kept on, easily, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Tin Fandango (9-6) by 1l, 13 ran.
Zarkareva (FR) 5-1 (10-1) In touch in rear, slight mistake 1st, close last entering straight, went 4th on inner and ridden 2 out, went 2nd at last, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Polished Steel (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
