led until after 3rd, led again 5th, headed and weakening when fell 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after next, weakening when left 4th and hampered 3 out
keen in touch, hit 6th, went second approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to go 3rd approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened 7th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
hit 6th, always towards rear
mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after next, weakening when left 5th and hampered 3 out
pulled hard, headway to lead after 3rd, headed 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off
in touch, took closer order after 4th, led approaching 3 out, soon shaken up to go clear, readily
mid-division until weakened approaching 7th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
pulled hard, always towards rear
Ornais gets the vote over Oumeyade, Ammunition, Artipreuil and Upham Lad. Paul Nicholls rolls another off the French production line here, this time in the shape of Ornais, runner-up on his last start over hurdles at Auteuil in March. The plan is to go chasing with him before Christmas, and he is one to watch out for. The stable won this 12 months ago with Nippy Des Mottes, and will be confident of repeating the feat here with this scopey individual who will be able to make the most of his age allowance when eventually sent over the bigger obstacles. Oumeyade actually had better form over timber than the selection in France, having opened his account before joining Henrietta Knight. However, he was very disappointing when pulled up in a Kempton Listed event on his recent return to action, and maybe is best watched. Carl Llewellyn has his team in great shape so do not be surprised if Ammunition runs well, while the Philip Hobbs pair Artipreuil and Upham Lad are both worth a mention. The former is yet another Gallic import, while the latter, although lacking experience could easily be good enough to land a maiden. Ornais is a classy sort and can prove up to the task.
Oumeyade (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Held up but in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Self Respect (11-0) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (1) gd, 7 ran.
Ackhurst (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) won at Holnicote 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Continental (12-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Ammunition (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 12, 37l behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Artipreuil (FR) 7-4 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Albertas Run (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Beauchamp Trump 50-1 (10-5) Hampered 1st, mid-division, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened under pressure after next, 13th of 15, well behind Quasimodo (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Colony Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, headway and every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when left 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Time Bandit (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun '05.
Gala Evening 9-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, 38l behind dhtrs Smokey Mountain (10-11) & Lysander (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Orion Express (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug, 8 ran.
Mibleu (FR) (10-3) Bad mistake 6th, in touch until weakened last, 4th of 12, 15l behind Miswaki D'aubois (10-7) at Pau 2m 7f ch in Jan.
Ornais (FR) (9-13) Led 3 out, kept on when headed last, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Forzy Origny (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl in Mar.
The Humble Trucker (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Bumped 1st, always behind, well behind from 5th, 12th of 16, well behind New Team (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Upham Lad (IRE) Relief Pitcher gelding out of the winning hurdler Fussy Lady.
Timberlake 40-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 11th of 15, well behind Accumulus (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Uig 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 8th of 15, 41l behind Massini's Maguire (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
