held up towards rear, ridden 5 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leader, led halfway, ridden 3f out, headed and drifted left 1f out, no extra
held up in touch, headway on bit 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led to halfway, weakened quickly 6f out, soon pulled up
prominent, ridden, chased leader 3f out, stayed on well final 2f
mid-division, bumped along 4f out, no impression
held up last, pushed along 5f out, ridden 3f out, nearest finish
A minefield for punters and Petitjean is considered only a token selection against Pepporoni Pete and Legal Glory. As always - the market is sought as the most realistic appreciation of how far forward these horses are in their work. Petitjean has plenty going for him as he is related to a particularly precocious line of French performers and is out of a middle distance mare from the flat. Pepporoni Pete is sure to be popular as a representative of the Graham Roach and Paul Nicholls combination. A 130 000 euro purchase - he is closely related to a number of 2m4f to 3mile winners. He is sure to improve on whatever he achieves on this occasion. Legal Glory is a full brother to staying chaser Big Rob. He was forward enough to win on debut but it is always a difficult task to concede a winners penalty to debutants. Pangbourne lost any hopes of victory when misbehaving at the start of his Warwick debut. As a progeny of Accordion, the claims of La Cuenta are already there for all to see. We will be waiting upon the betting market in order to seek any further clues. We offer Petitjean as our selection but we are more than prepared to reconsider it in the light of any further information that the opening show shall offer.
Legal Glory (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Jimmy Bedney (11-1) by 2l, 14 ran.
Hold That Thought (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, led 9f headed over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 12, 28l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
La Cuenta (IRE) Accordion gelding out of bumper winner Foyle Wanderer.
Pangbourne (FR) 12-1 (11-4) In rear and reluctant to race, always well behind, 13th of 17, well behind Aux Le Bahnn (10-13) at Warwick 2m nhf (H) sft.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) Un Desperado gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Everready.
Petitjean Garde Royale gelding out of Sainte Etoile.
Return Ticket 6-1 (11-4) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway 7f out, hard ridden and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 13, 27l behind Itsmyboy (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Apr '04.
Single Player (IRE) Accordion gelding, brother to winning bumper New Mischief.
