led, jumped right 1st, headed 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, chased leader 2nd, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard and held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after
prominent, chased leader 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd from last, no chance with winner
held up, jumped slowly 3rd, headway approaching next, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, chased leader 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, shaken up approaching last, soon clear, impressive
towards rear, jumped slowly and lost touch 4th, stayed on one pace from 2 out
ART TREND should get favourite backers off to a good start; he's likely to have most to fear from Nampour and Cosmea. That trio lack the hurdling experience of a number of their rivals but their trainers are sure to have them well prepared and have taken this race three times in the last five years between them. Art Trend had just four starts for Peter Chapple-Hyam and had earned a rating of eighty three after the first three of them; he made quite hard work of winning a poor maiden on his final run. Cosmea was kept busier by Alan King, running a dozen times and finishing up with a rating in the high seventies. She progressed well throughout this season and appears to be an honest and durable performer. Nampour is a well bred French import who won twice for Alain De Royer-Dupre in seven starts. Paul Nicholls has only saddled three runners since August and none of them have won but he has a decent record at the track so it seems reasonable to side with Art Trend.
Bathwick Man 15-2 (11-2) Chased winner until ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Wake Board (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Art Trend (IRE) 4-9fav (8-11) Tracked leader, smooth headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gs in Jun beating Shady Gloom (8-11) by 2l, 7 ran (Flat).
Balata 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 5th of 7, 37l behind Wake Board (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept.
Clovis 11-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 42l behind Just Mossie (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
Gainsborough's Art (IRE) 7-2fav (8-11) In touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind The Hoofer (8-6) at Leicester 1m 3yo sll (6) gf in Jul (Flat).
King Bathwick (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, hampered 5th, soon struggling, 9th of 16, 44l behind Duke of Touraine (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Jul.
Nampour (FR) (9-4) Tracked leaders, went on inside final furlong, easily, won at Nancy 1m 2f in Apr beating Cape Town (8-11) by 3l, 7 ran (Flat).
Red Bishop Riverwise gelding out of Persian Dream.
Wise Hawk 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Ruff Diamond (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Cosmea 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 10l behind Storyland (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp 0-75 (3) gf in Sept (Flat).
Tamrai Dancer 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Tyrrells Wood (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept, 14 ran.
