PRET A THOU was way below par at Sandown last time but that run may have come too soon after an excellent second to Charingworth over C&D. Dropped in class today, he's fancied to rediscover his best form and take care of these lesser opponents. Storm Surge was another to disappoint last time and he's also not certain to confirm earlier running at Haydock with Woody Waller on worse terms. The latter should be thereabouts again, as should Gansey if he's back to his best having failed to complete at Haydock last time. Rileyev and Temple Lord are others with the form to figure.
Pret A Thou (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Led until mistake and headed 4th, chased leader until 7th, weakening when blundered 10th, soon in rear, tailed off when blundered last, last of 9, well behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs.
Gansey (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in last pair, steady headway 5 out to next, soon driven and outpaced, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Cappa Bleu (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Rileyev (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Held up in last trio, slow 3rd, headway to 4th from 4 out, went 3rd approaching next, staying on same pace when blundered badly 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 9, 19l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs.
Woody Waller 9-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out until 3 out, went 2nd again 2 out, soon edged right, stayed on flat, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Storm Surge (9-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Temple Lord (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 31l behind Our Mick (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Tartan Snow 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 9th, went 2nd 11th until mistake 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 7, 30l behind Tamarinbleu (11-12) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Quite The Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, mistake and weakened from 10th, 8th of 12, 20l behind Quicuyo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Cool Operator 20-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, in rear from 8th, soon pushed along and never dangerous, 11th of 12, 28l behind Quicuyo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Storm Surge (IRE) 3-1fav (10-11) Soon prominent, left in lead 6th, headed approaching last, soon rallied, faded flat, 4th of 8, 19l behind Primrose Time (10-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
