chased clear leader, closed and mistake 3 out, led well before 2 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened and no chance with easy winner
took keen hold in touch, ridden 1st, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders in 4th, hit 2nd, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out
in touch, headway after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, not fluent last, easily
held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, weakening when not fluid last 2
held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 5th
Pouvoir got stuffed last time out on ground this testing, so we will side with Prince Ary ahead of Mous Of Men and Mr Excel. The latter represents a stable still in fine form, and should be monitored for real signs of confidence. However he was only banded class on the flat so we will pass him over up against better horses here, in particular the selection Prince Ary. An 80-rated performer on the flat, he was thrown in at the deep end on his hurdling debut in a Grade 2 contest at Cheltenham. He won well on his next run when in more suitable company, and although he has a a penalty today, he could be good enough on ground that he handles. Mous Of Men makes his hurdling debut today, and this ex-French gelding should be on the premises, although he may appreciate the run more than the ground. Philanthropist represents a stable on the up, and should come on for his run in a hot contest at Chepstow, so he could go well at bigger odds, but for the winner we will stick with David Pipe's Prince Ary.
Prince Ary 7-1 (10-12) Close up, chased leader 5th, led 3 out, soon in command, ran on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Doctor David (10-12) by 8l, 14 ran.
Darusso 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 25l behind Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Digger Boy 7-2 (10-12) Led until jumped badly right and unseated rider in race won by Park Lane Princess (10-5) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Mous Of Men (FR) (8-6) In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, unplaced behind Kasimali (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct (Flat) 17 ran.
Mr Excel (IRE) 5-2 (8-7) Held up in rear, in touch, headway on outer over 2f out, disputed lead 1f out, every chance, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2l behind High Point (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov (Flat).
Pouvoir (FR) 1-4fav (11-0) Prominent, chased winner 3rd, pushed along approaching 2 out, driven and went right 2 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Supsonic (11-0) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Your Amount (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Towards rear, steady headway 3f out, not clear run approaching final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Share The Feeling (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 6f app hcp (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Zacharova (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Hit 3 out, always behind, 6th of 11, 40l behind Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy.
Philanthropist 14-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 9th of 12, well behind Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
