tracked leader, left in lead 2nd, clear after 3 out, slithered on landing and fell 2 out
tracked leading pair, left 2nd at 2nd, ridden and hung left after 3 out, left in 4 lengths lead next, idled badly, hanging left and 3 lengths ahead when went left last, headed flat, kept on same pace
pulled hard, led, jinked 1st, tried to run out and unseated rider next
settled in rear 1st, mistake and hampered 2nd, headway to handy 4th before 4 out, staying on when left 2nd 2 out, 3 lengths down and closing on idling leader last, led flat, stayed on well
pulled hard, held up, headway to 4th after 1st, losing place when mistake 4th, soon tailed off, fell 3 out
tracked leaders, went 3rd before 4 out, driven along before 3 out, no impression when went left and weakened next
Grumeti was impressive on his hurdling debut in what appeared a decent contest at Taunton. But he faces no easy task here giving weight to all of his rivals. Art History was a better horse on the Flat and still in touch when short of room and forced through the wing of the third-last at Doncaster last week. His jumping will improve with experience but SUD PACIFIQUE, who won three times on the Flat last year and cost current connections 60,000gns at the October sales, gets the vote. He's held in high regard by Donald McCain and can get off to a winning start over timber here. One Lucky Lady landed the odds at Folkestone yesterday and is unlikely to turn out again so quickly here.
Grumeti 11-2 (10-6) Went right 1st, in touch on inside, headway after 3 out, led approaching next, 3 lengths clear last, ridden and ran on well to forge clear flat, impressive, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Ted Spread (11-5) by 14l, 12 ran.
Art History (IRE) 15-8 (10-7) Held up in touch, going well in 4th when not much room and ran out 3 out, in a race won by Tarantella Lady (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd, 6 ran.
Circus Star (USA) 18-1 (8-7) Slowly away, remider over 4f out, always in rear, last of 18, 24l behind Violent Velocity (9-1) at Doncaster 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Crafty Roberto 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 3 out, 4th and weakening when fell 2 out, in a race won by Asaid (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Davids Dilemma 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in last pair, fell 4 out, in a race won by Dark And Dangerous (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Sud Pacifique (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up in last pair, headway when not clear run and switched right inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, switched outside and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug beating Las Verglas Star (8-9) by 3l, 7 ran (flat).
Levantera (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Ridden along to track leader, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, last of 9, 34l behind Present Danger (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
One Lucky Lady 3-1fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon led, edged left before next, ridden and headed last, unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Asaid (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.
