chased leader, led approaching 2 out, hard driven and kept on run-in, headed near finish
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
took keen, hold, held up towards rear, hit 4 out, headway under pressure to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, driven and struggling approaching 4 out, tailed off
mistakes, chased leaders, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off next
chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, beaten after, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway under pressure to chase leaders 3 out, soon driven, chased leader run-in, driven and stayed on well to lead near finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakening when hit 2 out
led, hit 4th, driven and headed approaching 2 out, chased winner, hit last, no extra run-in
behind, no impression on leaders from 4 out, tailed off
mistakes, always in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, hit 5th, effort approaching next, soon beaten
behind, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out
always in rear, tailed off 5th
Count Kristo has a penalty for his recent win which leaves him looking slightly vulnerable; Oh Crick gets the vote to score ahead of Pen Gwen. Alan King's former French-trained gelding certainly improved for his first start in Britain when finishing second next time up at Folkestone. That looked a fairly decent contest and he was only collared late on by his stablemate. Pascha Bere, Speedy Directa and Turkish Sultan all need checks in the betting making their first starts over hurdles, whilst Pen Gwen showed up well for a long way last time and, judging from his French form, he may be more effective on this softer ground. Count Kristo must be considered but giving weight away he looks opposable, and so we will return to Oh Crick for the selection.
Count Kristo 15-2 (11-3) Held up, steady headway and chased clear leader 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, quickened and clear after last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f clm hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Almanshood (11-4) by 16l, 9 ran.
Bandits Pistol (NZ) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, ridden next, weakened approaching 2 out, 15th of 18, 32l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Free To Air 12-1 (10-12) Held up in close touch, weakened soon after 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind My Petra (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov '06.
Matarazzo (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mistakes in mid-division, no chance when hit 6th, well behind when hit next, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Ohana (10-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Merchant Bankes 50-1 (10-5) Prominent, pulled early, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 20l behind The Tother One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Mustamad 100-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, behind, struggling after 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Zebra Crossing (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 17 ran.
Oh Crick (FR) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, blundered 3 out, headway next, led approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Sovereign King (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Pascha Bere (FR) (8-6) 3rd of 17, 2l behind Pterodactyl (8-8) at Longchamp 1m 2f hcp gd in Sept (Flat).
Pen Gwen (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 18, 12l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Qualify 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 5th, no chance after, 7th of 9, 36l behind Warsaw Pact (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Shanagolden Juan (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '06.
Speedy Directa (GER) (8-12) 2nd of 10, 7l behind Toselli (8-0) at Mulheim 1m 3f hcp hvy in Nov (Flat).
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 7th of 14, 5l behind Titan Triumph (9-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Where Now Madame 100-1 (10-5) Jumped right 1st, chased leaders, effort 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, last of 7, 37l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
