tracked leaders, outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last
held up in rear, hampered 1st, not fluent 4th, headway next, 4th and one pace when not fluent last
in touch in mid-division, closed after 5th, challenged 2 out, led flat, headed towards finish, found extra to lead again close home
held up, headway before 3rd, led approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed flat, held towards finish
held up, badly hampered 1st, mistake 5th, well beaten 3 out
held up, veered badly right 1st, pushed along 3rd, mistake 5th, soon well beaten, pulled up after
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 3 out
mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged flat, led towards finish, edged right, headed close home
reluctant to line up, led, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, headed before 3 out, weakened next
Rather early days for a Triumph Hurdle trial but a good if tricky contest all the same. Indeed, this is far from straightforward with the entries top loaded by French imports now representing quality yards. L'Aigle Royal impressed at Sedgefield but this requires a major step forward and his two runs on soft ground in France were rather poor. The Pipe pair of Unanimite and Baraka De Thaix have shown ability whilst still needing to step up and GOLDEN DOYEN is the choice. An easy winner at Warwick, he's proven in testing conditions should the ground deteriorate further and represents a yard who could hardly be in better form. Hargam has some useful French form in the book from his three starts when with the Royer-Dupre operation and needs to be taken very seriously on his first outing for Nicky Henderson.
L'aigle Royal (GER) 8-15fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced 5th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, in command when left clear last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Istimraar (10-12) by 26l, 6 ran.
Unanimite (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Led, jumped mainly left throughout, hit 2 out, pressed and hung left last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Starchitect (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Golden Doyen (GER) 1-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, drew clear on bit before 2 out, very easily, won at Warwick 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs beating Aristocracy (10-7) by 16l, 8 ran.
Baraka De Thaix (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Bibox (10-1) at Pornichet(FR) 1m 4f 3yo stks in Aug (flat).
Eminent Poet Montjeu gelding out of Contare.
Glasgow Central 16-1 (8-2) Raced centre, tracked leader, led that group over 4f out, headed over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 6th of 11, 8l behind Inspector Norse (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Haleo 6-1 (8-5) Held up, soon in touch, ridden and outpaced from over 2f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Exclusive Contract (8-5) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf in Jul (flat).
Hargam (FR) (8-11) 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Guiliani (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in Jun (flat).
Magic Magnolia (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led, pushed along before 3 out, pressed 3 out, headed before last, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Full Day (10-11) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
