held up in mid-divison, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
pulled hard, led 1st, fell 3 out
towards rear, headway and effort approaching 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression next
in touch until weakened halfway
led 1st, soon mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened after next
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, headway when left in lead 3 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and one pace next
Acropolis is taken to make a winning start over hurdles by beating previous scorer Alfred The Great, with Lysander, Le Chiffre and Romantique others to note. Acropolis is a high-class recruit to the winter game, having been campaigned at Group level when trained by Aidan O'Brien. Successful twice in Listed company in Ireland, he just seemed to fall out of love with the game during the second part of 2005, and it is hoped that a change of career and scenery will sweeten him up. The son of Sadlers Wells handled cut in the ground on the Flat, and just a semblance of his true ability should be enough for him to make a winning start in the colours of Graham Wylie. Alfred The Great was not of the same ability as the selection on the level, but was talked of as a Triumph Hurdle candidate after his hard-fought Sandown victory in November, and he can prove best of the four-year-olds here. Lysander hindered his chance when clouting two out on his Folkestone debut and should not be written off, while Le Chiffre was no great shakes on the all-weather but is with the right stable. German raider Romantique is difficult to a weigh up and a watching brief is advised, with Acropolis taken to outclass his rivals here.
Acropolis (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, beaten when hung left inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 6l behind Mubtaker (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept (Flat).
Lysander (GER) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, every chance when hung left and hit 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Warningcamp (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 11-4fav (10-12) In touch, chased winner 4 out, chance when blundered next, weakened last, 4th of 20, 21l behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Temple Place (IRE) 500-1 (9-4) Led and disputed, headed 4f out, weakened quickly, virtually pulled up straight, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Oratorio (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept (Flat).
Topwell 66-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec beating According To Pete (11-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Alfred The Great (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, under pressure flat, driven and held on gamely near finish, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs in Nov beating Kanpai (10-12) by a shd, 8 ran.
Romantique (GER) (9-2) last of 14, 26l behind Man Power (8-7) at Neuss 7f std in Dec (Flat).
Le Chiffre (IRE) 3-1fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Midnight Lace (8-1) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
