held up in 5th, pushed along and progress before 2 out, ridden into 3rd between last two, stayed on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
reluctant leader, set steady pace until before 2nd, chased clear leader, closed to lead before 2 out, blundered and headed 2 out, weakened between last two, eased run-in
tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear before last, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in
pulled hard and jumped poorly, hit 1st, led after next, went 20 lengths clear before 3rd, looking to run out and went badly left 5th, went violently left next, reduced lead when headed and weakened before 2 out, tailed off when fell last
tracked leaders until dropped to rear approaching 4th, progress under pressure into 3rd before 2 out, 2nd and hit 2 out, soon driven along and no impression on winner, went left last, no extra in 3rd run-in
Gorman won a couple of times on minor tracks in France last year but looks one to swerve here given his lack of experience and the fact that his yard is struggling for winners at present. Lil Rockerfeller should improve on his third at Wetherby but has it all to do against Plumpton winner Pain Au Chocolat on a line through Devilment. OLD GUARD's defeat of Kazerak at Newbury is smart form and he pulled too hard when trying to follow up in the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow where Kazerak finished second. Paul Nicholls' gelding may have too much pace here for French import The Saint James, though the latter is an exciting long-term prospect whatever his fate today.
Old Guard 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened next, pulled up after, in a race won by Bristol De Mai (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
The Saint James (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 8, 8l behind Kobrouk (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f ch Grd 2 sft in Nov.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 5-6fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd when not fluent 3 out, led next, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Devilment (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Gorman (FR) (8-11) won at Durtal(FR) 2m hcp in Nov, 9 ran (flat).
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Devilment (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft.
