led, not fluent 3rd, niggled along after 5th, headed and not fluent 3 out, hung left and weakened before next
raced quite keenly, held up in touch in last, closed 5th, led 3 out, drew clear before last, easily
tracked leader until 4th, outpaced in last before 3 out, plugged on for modest 3rd latter stages
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden and no impression before last, one pace
FINAL CHOICE won’t be much of a price in this opener but is impossible to oppose. After a pipe-opener at Warwick, he stayed on strongly to beat better opposition over course and distance here on New Year’s Eve and should have few problems defying a penalty on that evidence. Flying Tiger was sent off favourite on his UK debut at Exeter in November but was well beaten and has no chance against the favourite on collateral form. Zalvados competed at a decent level on the Flat in France up to a mile and Oliver Greenall’s newcomer is the most interesting of the remaining trio.
Final Choice 7-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, pushed along briefly approaching 4 out, led 3 out, ridden between last two, came well clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Siruh Du Lac (10-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-5) In rear and keen, headway before 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 19l behind Evening Hush (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Balgemmois (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, 2nd 3f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Mick Maestro (10-12) at Towcester 1m 6f (6) gs in Nov.
Zalvados (FR) (9-1) 7th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Bronze Swan (9-1) at Compiegne 1m hvy in Oct.
Magnificent Madiba 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hit 5th, soon ridden and weakened, last of 7, dist behind Divin Bere (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (2) gs in Jan.
