held up, blundered badly 3rd, never travelling after
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden into 3rd approaching last, stayed on under pressure, held close home
blundered 3 out, always towards rear
tracked leading trio, effort 2 out, found little
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on gamely when challenged close home
in touch, hit 4th and 5th, effort 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
led, soon clear, headed after 6th, soon weakened
chased clear leader, ridden and effort when hit 2 out, one pace after
took keen hold in rear, pulled way into midfield after 5th, weakened after 3 out
Carlitos, Pepperoni Pete and Moon Over Miami look the main protagonists in this cracking contest and the narrow vote is given to Carlitos. The selection was a good second on his hurdling debut behind Sizing Europe, he looks sure to improve and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Pepperoni Pete rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Topamendip, and is another that is sure to improve but all his best form is on a faster surface and he is taken on with this in mind. Moon Over Miami won well last time when beating War General but he looks vulnerable under his penalty and may be seen to better effect over a longer trip so he too is opposed. Of the remainder Albinus ran with promise on his debut and is sure to improve but for the winner we return to Carlitos who is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Court Ruler 50-1 (10-12) Patiently ridden, stayed on from 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Nov beating Hawridge Star (11-3) by 5l, 8 ran.
Moon Over Miami (GER) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, good headway approaching last, strong run flat to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating War General (11-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 6, 13l behind Blazing Bailey (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Pepporoni Pete (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Mid-division, chased leader 3 out, led on bit 2 out, quickened up to go clear approaching last, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Topamendip (10-12) by 19l, 9 ran.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, driven to challenge and chance last, edged left, no extra final 100yds, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Silverburn (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Albinus 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Silverburn (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Carlitos 2-1fav (11-0) Led, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied to join winner and hung left flat, just held, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Must Be Keen 16-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division headway to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Day To Remember (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Nicki Boy (GER) 18-1 (10-12) Behind, ridden 3 out, plugged on, 6th of 13, 24l behind Nobelix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Shambar (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Led and soon clear, headed 5f out, soon weakened, last of 20, well behind Group Captain (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Nov (Flat).
