chased leader, not fluent 3 out, still close up when hit 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd and soon held when not fluent last
led, ridden and headed when not fluent last, stayed on flat but always held
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, effort on run to 2 out, where not fluent and bumped, soon beaten
raced keenly, held up, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd between last 2, cajoled to lead just before last, stayed on well flat and always doing enough
raced keenly, held up, not fluent 4th, effort on run to 2 out where jumped left, soon ridden and weakened
not always fluent, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, blundered 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, mid-division but in touch, hit 1st, not fluent 5th, disputing close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced
Franchoek, Russian Invader and Indian Blood are all shortlisted and we side with Franchoek. Alan King's charge has been particularly well touted over the summer as his Triumph entrant and he has lived up to the hype with some solid efforts thus far. The bookmakers will be taking no chances but it will take a good horse to beat him here. Russian Invader hails from the same stable. Despite being reportedly "stuffy" on debut, he won well at Folkestone and had won off a mark of 74 on the flat. Indian Blood won on the flat in France at Vichy. Any horse carrying the colours of David Johnson at Cheltenham has to be respected. Lemon Silk finished behind our selection when they met here previously. He looked useful when landing a prize at Sandown. Rhum Brun should not lack for fitness as he has been seen out in France throughout November. Art Professor had bits and pieces of flat form for John Hills and could be anything. Callisto Moon isn't the biggest of individuals and does give his all for his rider. The figures suggest he might find this a little hot. Sonara hails from an in-form yard although he will need to improve massively on his Catterick third. Franchoek looks a useful recruit to the winter game and can continue his forward progression this afternoon.
Callisto Moon 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division until dropped rear 5th, never able to get on terms after, 6th of 9, 29l behind Franchoek (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Franchoek (IRE) 6-5fav (11-2) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, quickened clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Won In The Dark (11-6) by 8l, 9 ran.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and hit last, edged left last 100 yards, joined on line, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft deadheating with Pertemps Networks (10-12), 14 ran.
Erdeli (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders on stand's side, 5th 2f out, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 23, 13l behind Spanish Harlem (9-3) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn hvy in Oct '06 (Flat).
Harper Valley (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, challenged and disputed lead from 2 out, headed and no impression from over 100yds out, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Maca Rince (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 gs.
Indian Blood (IRE) (8-7) Made all, stayed on strongly, won at Vichy 1m 4f hcp sft in Jul beating Lake Periyar (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran (Flat).
Sonara (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 13, 9l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Zanir (FR) 9-1 (10-12) In touch, headway after 3 out, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Soliya (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Art Professor (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked clear leader, led approaching 2 out, headed next, rallied under pressure to lead close home, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Metaphoric (11-0) by a shd, 9 ran.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, every chance after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Franchoek (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Russian Invader (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 5th, led approaching last, driven out near finish, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Daltaban (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Rhum Brun (FR) (9-13) Led to last, kept on when headed, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Tell No One (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl hvy in Nov.
