chased leaders, slow jump 4 out and ridden, went 2nd approaching 2 out where jumped left, stayed on one pace
tracked leader, led before 2 out, shaken up before last, kept on well, readily
in rear, reminders after 2nd, ridden 4 out, tailed off next
mid-division, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden before last, plugged on into 2nd jumping last, no match for winner
towards rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off
led, ridden home turn, headed before 2 out and dropped away quickly
towards rear, fell 1st
There was no fluke about RECOUP’s defeat of a subsequent winner at Ludlow. A winner on soft ground on the Flat in France, he is fancied to defy a penalty here. What A Johnny made a winning start under Rules at Stratford but may do better over further in time. Coup De Coeur has placed twice over hurdles but will probably be going chasing sooner rather than later.
What A Johnny (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Chased leader, pushed along and slightly outpaced home turn, ridden before last and rallied into 2nd, ridden run-in and stayed on dourly to lead towards finish, won at Stratford 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Havock (11-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Coup De Coeur (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Led, pushed along after 3 out, headed after 2 out, lost 2nd between last two, kept on pressing for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Thank You Blue (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Flashy Dude (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 8th of 10, 36l behind Let's Go Joe (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Jake Stevens (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, fell 3 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Judicial Review (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent, dropped to midfield, on second circuit, struggling and lost ground before 2 out, soon struggling, gradually weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Whistle Stop Tour (11-0) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Treaty Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, chased front group home turn, gradually weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 22 3/4l behind Cherie D'am (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Alanine 150-1 (9-4) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 11l behind Ebony Maw (9-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Recoup 15-2 (11-1) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed from 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Choccabloc (11-2) by hd, 16 ran.
