led until 2nd, stayed handy, ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd when fell last
prominent, not fluent and led 2nd, headed when mistake 2 out, 4th and no extra when left 3rd last
tracked leaders on inside, hit 3 out, led next, clear before last, ran on well
mid-division, hit 4th and 5th, weakened before 3 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
held up, not always fluent, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, headway 7th, 3rd and no impression on winner when left 2nd last
held up in rear, headway 7th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
Admiral Kid has disappointed so far over hurdles so this looks a good opportunity for ARGANTE (NAP) to open his account under NH Rules. A winning stayer on the Flat in France, this step up in trip is certain to suit Nicky Henderson’s charge. Third Estate won a Down Royal bumper in May and was second at Newton Abbot on his first start for new connections. He has a bit of scope while winning pointer Ardmayle may stay on into a place.
Admiral Kid (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed last (normal 3 out), soon outpaced, plugged on, 4th of 12, 10 1/4l behind River Frost (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Ardmayle (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, on inside, outpaced over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 7, 21 1/4l behind Infinite Sun (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Argante (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, closing when hampered on inside bend after 3 out, trapped behind weakening rival and soon switched right, ridden between last 2, weakened last, 6th of 8, 19l behind Thomas Campbell (11-5) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.
County Road (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Ballymalin (11-5) at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Nov.
Flower Ball (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Led, rider dropped whip before 4 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Burton Boru (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
High Wheeler (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) In rear, behind 7th, pulled up after, at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Third Estate (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leader, took keen hold and led after 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, well held inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Pokari (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (6) gd in Sep.
Raising Hope (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders on outer, improved to dispute lead briefly 4 out, headed and ridden next, weakened, 14th of 20, dist behind Star Counsel (11-10) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
