raced keenly, wide, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden, headed before last, rallied gamely flat, held near finish
prominent, led after 2nd, hit 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, idled flat, driven out
led until after 2nd, chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last
mid-division, headway 7th, effort after 3 out, weakened, eased when beaten
in touch, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, blundered next, weakened
held up, hit 7th, short lived effort 3 out
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
Nycteos clearly appreciated the return to hurdling when successful over course and distance during the Christmas fixture and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is taken to follow up here, getting the verdict over Gabier and Rio De Janeiro. The last mentioned has chances of reversing form with the selection on their revised terms today and has to be respected but Nycteos may have been value for more than the winning margin that day. Shatabdi will appreciate any further rain that may fall and has to be considered but Nicky Henderson's mare may be a shade high in the weights at present. Panjo Bere made a pleasing start to his career in this country when making a winning debut for Gary Moore at Plumpton and he could be of interest but has been harshly raised 16lbs for that run so may be best watched today. Stablemate Gabier has solid claims under Richard Johnson and has to be respected but preference is for Nycteos, who is taken to win again.
Kawagino (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Lyes Green 25-1 (11-7) Held up and off the pace, driven 8th, struggling next, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Shatabdi (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, chased leader, weakened after 3 out, last of 8, 17l behind Emmpat (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Nycteos (FR) 4-1 (11-5) Held up last, smooth headway 3 out, led 2 out, idled run-in, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating Princelet (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased clear leader, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Nycteos (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Gabier 7-4fav (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, led 3 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Zilcash (11-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Panjo Bere (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenging when stumbled 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec beating Mous Of Men (11-6) by 6l, 16 ran.
La Dame Brune (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Behind headway 6th. weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Mendo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
Aston Lad 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 23l behind Poker De Sivola (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
