chased leader, effort 2 out, soon one pace
made all, jumped well, drew clear 2 out, ran on well
tracked leaders, lost place halfway
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never a threat
always behind, struggling halfway, never a factor
behind, not fluent 2nd, soon detached, never dangerous
tracked leaders, mistake 1st, under pressure 3 out, soon faded
took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost place 4 out
AZZURI is penalised for his recent win in a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon but he still has plenty in hand at the weights with Chepstow winner Copain De Classe. The latter is preferred to stablemate and hurdles newcomer Azari, who won four times on the Flat in France. Ruby Russet showed major improvement when third here last time and a conditional takes over the reins while Tom Scudamore partners the latter’s stable companion Quiz Master once again.
Azzuri 4-11fav (11-4) Led, soon clear, wandered approaching 4 out, reduced advantage next, 1 length clear last, ridden and hard pressed when edged left towards stands side rail flat, held on towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar beating Hint Of Grey (10-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Copain De Classe (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Held up way off the pace, closed before 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Azari (9-6) 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Bandanetta (8-10) at Saint-Cloud 7f stks in Sep.
Quiz Master (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders (leader well clear), left 2nd 3rd, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, very remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, dist behind Multiculture (11-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Mar.
Virginia Chick (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Always in rear, 5th of 8, dist behind Multiculture (11-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Mar.
Our Phillie Lily 33-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, struggling when stumbled and fell on home turn, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (6) sft in Jan.
Ruby Russet 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, closed when slow 3rd, 3rd after 3 out, switched right before challenging last, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Tangley (10-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Mar.
Thahab Ifraj (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Soon tracking leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Choral Clan (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Nicolosio (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Azzuri (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
