tracked leader, led 3rd, joined 2 out, ridden between last two, headed approaching last, kept on same pace flat
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, shaken up after last, stayed on well to draw clear final 150 yards
took keen hold, held up last, pushed along and outpaced soon after 3 out, weakened, mistake last, eased, tailed off
led until 3rd, chased leader until 3 out, soon pushed along, outpaced before next
Maxie T wasn't disgraced behind TOP NOTCH at Newbury considering he was making his hurdling debut and his stable was largely out of form. Better is expected here but it's asking a lot to turn the form around on identical terms with Nicky Henderson's French import, who can cement his place in the Triumph Hurdle by beating Golden Doyen. The latter won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November but was never really travelling when made favourite for the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow last month and looks vulnerable now to less-exposed types. Ahio will improve for his run at Fontainebleau and should find a race when his sights are lowered.
Golden Doyen (GER) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Bristol De Mai (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
Top Notch (FR) 11-8 (11-8) Held up in 5th, closer order tracking leaders 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, challenged in 2nd at the last, led run-in, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Mick Jazz (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ahio (FR) (10-3) 5th of 14, 11l behind Hollywoodien (10-3) at Fontainebleau(FR) 2m 2f 3yo hdl sft in Nov.
Maxie T 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no extra, plugged on into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Top Notch (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec.
