always prominent, led before 2 out, headed soon after, every chance last, edged right and kept on flat
tracked leader, lost place approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up soon after 3 out
held up in touch, led soon after 2 out, ridden out
held up mid-division, headway and chased leaders after 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind
mid-division, reminders after 3rd, not fluent 3 out, never on terms
in touch, hit 4th, headway next, weakened 2 out
in touch, joined leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out
led, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up, never a factor
mid-division, struggling 4 out, soon beaten
held up in touch, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway approaching 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on, never trouble leaders
held up, headway after 3 out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, weakened after 3rd
always behind, virtually pulled up before 2 out
The shortlist contains Blu Teen, Master Mahogany and Wins Now, and the vote goes to Blu Teen Blu Teen was clear when falling at the last at Chepstow last time out and this promising French import can make amends today. Master Mahogany's hurdling form of last year brings him right into things, while Rapscallion was good enough to win at Group 3 level in 2001 so has to be of interest. French winner Amour Multiple should be watched in the betting, while Doctored was rated around the 70 mark on the Flat, so can't be ruled out. The Alan King-trained Glimmer Of Light will need to fare better here than when on the Flat in order to feature, as will Nicky Henderson's Kristmas Cracker based on his jumping runs so far. Royal Stardust and Sheriff Roscoe, who could be interesting, have displayed promise, as has the Thierry Doumen-trained Wins Now, and his trainer will have him well-prepared for this. Finally, Buddhi has shown promise in a very light career and Cartier Opera looked to have plenty of ability back in 2003 but has been seen only once since. This returns us to the selection, which is Blu Teen.
Amour Multiple (IRE) (11-11) 4th of 11, 8l behind Zeus Du Berlais (10-11) at Enghien 2m 1f hcp chs in Nov.
Belshazzar (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away, in rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, 45l behind Melodian (8-13) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (E) gd in Aug '04 (Flat).
Blu Teen (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway after 4th, led on bit after 3 out, 12 lengths clear and going well when fell at the last in race won by Coach Lane (10-11) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy, 11 ran.
Buddhi (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) In touch, went 2nd briefly approaching 3f out, one pace from 2f out, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Rare Coincidence (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Cartier Opera 3-1 (10-9) Held up and keen, steady headway 5th, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Make Haste Slowly (11-2) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gf in Jun '04.
Doctored 25-1 (8-10) Raced mid-division until over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 10l behind Blue Bajan (8-8) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct (Flat).
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leader until 4f out, weakened quickly, last of 16, 34l behind Magic Sting (8-10) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (E3) gd in Sept '04 (Flat).
King Louis (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in rear, hit 2nd, behind when not fluent 5th, 16th of 18, well behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs.
Krismas Cracker 20-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 4th, mistake 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Noland (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (C) gs.
Lordington Lad 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in rear, always behind, 13th of 18, well behind Wee Robbie (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gs.
Lorrelini (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs, 18 ran.
Master Mahogany 13-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hard ridden and led approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Darrias (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gf in Apr.
Phazar 80-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden before 5th, soon tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Senorita Rumbalita (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Rapscallion (GER) 50-1 (9-0) Keen, close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Compton Bolter (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (A) pol in Nov '03 (Flat).
Royal Stardust 11-1 (10-12) Keen hold in mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, no chance when blundered last, 4th of 14, 16l behind Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft.
Sheriff Roscoe 16-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 12l behind The Cool Guy (10-11) at Wincanton 2m nhf (H) gd in Mar.
Tamreen (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 40l behind Natal (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd.
Fortanis 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by High Day (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) hvy in Nov, 17 ran.
Little Gannet 100-1 (10-5) Pulled hard, led after 2nd, headed soon after 3 out, weakened and behind when fell 2 out in race won by Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Wins Now (10-3) Prominent, mistake last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Nidor (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl hvy in Nov.
