held up in mid-division, headway before 2 out, left challenging last, stayed on, held towards finish
took keen hold, chased leader, challenged 3rd, led next, headed 2 out, 4th and held last, soon left 3rd, hung left and kept on same pace
chased leaders on outside, lost ground 3rd, well beaten before 2 out
held up in rear, jumped left at times, closed from 5th, every chance when not fluent 2 out, no impression when hampered last
held up in rear, bumped 5th, left 3rd last but hampered and dropped to 4th, no impression after
chased leaders, led 2 out, 2 lengths clear when fell last
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, raced keenly, closed after 2nd, jumped right, bumped and lost place 5th, closed before 2 out, went 2 lengths 2nd when jumped right and left challenging for lead last, stayed on well, holding 2nd towards finish
Kandoo Kid made a winning debut over hurdles here just over a year ago and fitness shouldn’t be a problem on his first start since, though he is giving 5lb to equally-unexposed rivals as is April’s Compeigne winner Diyaken. Master Chewy, Bubble Dubi and Don Hollow have already placed over timber and all are open to improvement but PERSIAN TIME (NAP) also looks a nice prospect. He has joined the Nicky Henderson stable since finishing second in a point at Borris House in March and is a full brother to the winning hurdler Restandbethankful.
Diyaken (FR) 10-1 (10-5) won at Compiegne 2m 2f hvy in Apr beating Booster Du Berlais (10-10) by 9l, 16 ran.
Kandoo Kid (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Raced out wide in mid-division, smooth headway out wide before 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, led towards finish, won at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Oct beating Shallwehaveonemore (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Schelem (FR) 2-1 (9-1) Held up behind clear leader, not fluent early on, improved after 2nd, much closer at halfway, ridden after 3 out, soon made headway to challenge, left in front 2 out, driven clear run-in, readily, won at Dax 2m 1f gd in Sep.
Bubble Dubi (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway from 2 out, not clear run approaching last, soon switched left, ran on well flat, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Tahmuras (11-4) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Don Hollow (GER) 9-4 (11-0) Off the pace in 3rd, hit 4th, no impression when mistakes 2 out and last, stayed on well run-in, switched sharply right and hampered rival towards finish, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ukantango (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Master Chewy (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, led 4 out until approaching the last, well held when lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Pikar (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Mister Mose (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Prominent early, mid-division 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, no progress, 5th of 10, 25 1/4l behind Leave Of Absence (11-0) at Ascot 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Persian Time 5-1 (11-11) Ld, nrw adv 1/2way, jnd & rdn appr str, hdd 2out, 2l 2nd when mstk last & lost ch with wnr, ko, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Peaky Boy (11-11) at Borris House 3m mdn Yielding in Mar.
