prominent until weakened and behind from 4th, tailed off
prominent, losing place when mistake 3 out and next, tailed off
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, joined approaching last, driven and stayed on well flat
always behind, tailed off
prominent, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, tailed off
always behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 3 out, finished lame
prominent, led and mistake 3rd, mistake next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
behind, some late headway, never nearer
in touch, good headway after 4th, effort and every chance 2 out, one pace approaching last
always behind, tailed off
held up in touch, headway 3 out, challenged and every chance when jumped left last, not quicken under pressure flat
in touch, good headway after 4th, weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon beaten
held up, kept on under pressure from 3 out, not trouble leaders
in touch, jumped badly left from 2 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
led, mistake and headed 3rd, blundered and weakened from next, tailed off soon after
in touch until ridden and weakened after 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, chasing left when jumped left left, kept on same pace flat
Francois Doumen had his Group 3 winner Peppercorn lined up to make his debut here but instead relies on Little Rock, a very high-class individual on the Flat for Michael Stoute, with wins at Newmarket and Sandown to his credit. In addition, he ran sixth to Sakhee in the 2001 Arc before moving to France permanently. Little Rock has failed to shine in five starts on the level for Doumen but there is no doubting that he is the one to beat if transferring his ability to hurdles. He likes a bit of cut in the ground so should have conditions to suit, and although there are 24 opponents to worry about, none can match his past form. Caracciola cannot be ruled out, given his stable's record, but his Uttoxeter second is nothing special, while Forest Tune will come on for his Huntingdon bow. King's Mill and High Hope will play a part, but TEAMtalk feel that Little Rock cannot be opposed.
