close up, ridden 2 out, 6 lengths down approaching last, rallied flat
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, hung left under pressure, headed last
held up, headway after 3 out, led last, ridden out
in touch and mistakes, ridden 2 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out, soon pulled up
led and not fluent 1st, headed after 3 out, and weakened quickly
Art Professor has done everything asked of him in two starts over hurdles, latterly when the winner by the narrowest of margins at Huntingdon last time and he has to be respected but the more testing ground may not be suitable and preference is for Russian Invader, who gets the vote ahead of Lemon Silk. The last mentioned was good value for his win at Sandown last month and lost no caste in defeat behind the useful Franchoek at Cheltenham last time. Gary Moore's Guardian of Truth showed improved form for the switch to hurdling when making a winning debut at Fontwell in October and could be of interest, while French import Five Dream is surely better than he showed at Cheltenham on his debut for Paul Nicholls. Rhum Brun has only once been placed in 11 career starts in all racing and looks best left out of calculations with the vote going to Russian Invader. Alan King's gelding showed progressive form on the flat and proved his ability on a soft surface when making a winning start to his hurdling career at Folkestone last month. He looks the one that they all have to beat.
Art Professor (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked clear leader, led approaching 2 out, headed next, rallied under pressure to lead close home, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Nov beating Metaphoric (11-0) by a shd, 9 ran.
Five Dream (FR) 9-4fav (11-6) Prominent, mistake 3rd, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Sainte Kadette (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, every chance after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Franchoek (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Guardian of Truth (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden to lead 2 out, blundered last, hard ridden and drifted right flat, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Summer of Love (10-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Russian Invader (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 5th, led approaching last, driven out near finish, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Daltaban (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Rhum Brun (FR) (9-13) Led to last, kept on when headed, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Tell No One (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl hvy in Nov.
