led in start, raced keenly and jumped right, led, steadied pace after 4 out, headed before last, weakened run-in
chased leaders, hit 3rd, close 2nd 3 out, led before hit last, stayed on strongly run-in
chased leader until 3 out, ridden and outpaced before next, rallied into well held 3rd final 100 yards
raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway 3 out, chased leaders before next, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
held up last, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened 2 out
NEW QUAY made a successful reappearance at Ascot last week with an impressive victory on his first start since wind surgery. A 7lb penalty may not be enough to anchor Dan Skelton’s progressive hurdler. Maiden winner French Crusader makes his handicap bow on his first start since May while Capitaine last raced in the same month but, along with Golden Birthday, has won off higher marks over fences. Majestic Touch hails from last year’s winning yard though needs to step up on last month’s sixth at Cheltenham to figure in this.
Capitaine (FR) 6-1fav (10-7) Jumped right, led 1st, headed when hampered 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Silver Streak (10-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
French Crusader (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) 2nd or 3rd, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 2 out, edged right before last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Earlshill (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in May.
Our Merlin 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 30 1/2l behind Storm Rising (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Majestic Touch (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway before 3 out, not fluent last, kept on, no chance with winner, 6th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Storm Rising (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Knight Destroyer (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pulled hard, closed 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Grand Sancy (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
New Quay (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, led approaching next, drew clear last, impressive, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating It's Got Legs (11-6) by 10l, 14 ran.
Golden Birthday (FR) 40-1 (12-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 18th of 20, 32 3/4l behind First Assignment (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
