tracked leader, led 4 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on well, driven out
tracked leaders, one pace from 3 out, left 3rd from 2 out, no impression
in rear, headway after 5 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, kept on and held towards finish
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced before 5 out, weakening when fell 4 out
in touch in 4th place, mistake 4th, mistake and unseated rider 6th
led, pecked 3rd, pressed and headed when not fluent 4 out, in 3rd and looking held when fell 2 out
Valgor Du Ronceray has made the move from the Melbourne Cup - winning trainer Joseph O'Brien to the Hammond team after landing a small hurdle in Ireland, prior to which he showed plenty of promise in novice chase company. He has obvious claims along with useful hurdler Ami Desbois, who now makes his chasing debut. The latter is the top-rated of these over timber by some way and this looks a good starting point for his chasing career as he has a course win in the book over hurdles. He could well prove good enough but WHATDUHAVTOGET, highly tried on her return to action at Chepstow, has fitness on her side and looks a chaser in the making. The 7lb mares allowance she receives could prove decisive.
Ami Desbois (FR) 2-5fav (12-4) Made all, reminders after 4 out, not fluent next, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr beating Just Minded (11-6) by 2l, 4 ran.
Cousin Oscar (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Raced wide, close up, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Barrys Jack (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Mortens Leam 4-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders, slightly checked after the last, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 10, 8l behind Undefined Beauty (12-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Rapid Fritz (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Led, headed 5th, weakened over 1f out, (omitted last hurdle), 6th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Lucarno Dancer (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Valgor Du Ronceray (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Made all, asserted run-in, stayed on well closing stages, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Aug beating Now Let Go (11-5) by 7l, 12 ran.
Whatduhavtoget (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 18, 22 3/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
