led until 1st, chased leader until after 3 out, handy 3rd, led last, ridden out
chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out until before next where weakened
held up and behind, never on terms
prominent, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside approaching 2 out, 5th and weakening when mistake last
held up and always towards rear, never on terms
chased leaders on inside, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, closer 4 out, chased leaders before next, led on long run before 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, weakened run-in
raced keenly in mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakening when awkward and bumped 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on inside after 3 out, chased leaders before next, every chance last, kept on run-in but not pace of winner
patiently ridden in rear, good headway chasing leaders when awkward and bumped 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not reach winner
pulled hard, headway to lead 1st, headed and weakened rapidly on long run before 2 out, tailed off
mistakes, chased leaders, blundered and lost place 2nd, mid-division, rallied next, mistake 3 out, pushed along and weakened on long run before next
Those with hurdling experience set a decent standard in this but there are a few with winning form in bumpers to complicate matters. Golden Taipan has a double penalty and Book Of Invasions carries 6lb extra and both will do well to add to their victories already this season. Wincanton runner-up Namib Dancer is getting closer while there are also possibilities about High Change but El Kaldoun wasn’t lasting home last season. The unexposed Where's Tom, Madiba Passion and Felix D'autry are all worth a market check but a switch to hurdles should see COEUR SEREIN in a better light given he’s out of an Oscar mare.
Golden Taipan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked winner, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, no impression between last 2, weakened flat, 5th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Pacify (11-0) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Book Of Invasions (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Close up, pushed along and slightly outpaced 2 out, headway next, ridden to lead when hung right flat, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Now Children (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Coeur Serein (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, driven and headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Kepagge (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Deewhy (IRE) 125-1 (11-4) Jumped right throughout, close up, outpaced from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar.
El Kaldoun (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, driven after 3 out, never pace to threaten leaders, 6th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Humble Hero (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Felix D'autry (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Corrie Lake (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in Jun.
High Change (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked winner until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Falco Blitz (11-0) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Madiba Passion (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, never on terms, last of 8, 20 1/4l behind House Island (11-2) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Mahler's Promise (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 28 3/4l behind Time Flies By (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (2) hvy in Oct.
Namib Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, led after next, green approaching when blundered badly last, soon headed, rallied closing stages, kept on, 2nd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Avarchie (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Raven Court (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, well held over 1f out, 8th of 15, 28 1/4l behind Eritage (11-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gd in Apr.
Tribesmans Glory (IRE) 11-4cfav (11-0) Led, keen early, headed over 6f out, weakened quickly, tailed off over 2f out, last of 10, dist behind Nimby (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec.
Where's Tom 25-1 (11-0) Always prominent, led over 5f out, bumped 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Llandinabo Lad (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
