led until narrowly headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon readily outpaced in 3rd
always last, mistake 3rd, hit 9th, outpaced and no chance from 12th, tailed off
jumped well, tracked leader, challenged 11th, led 4 out, pushed along and came readily clear between last 2, easily
not fluent, raced keenly, tracked leading pair, mistake 8th, not fluent 12th and next, went right 3 out, hung right soon after, went 2nd approaching 2 out, went right again 2 out, ridden and beaten between last 2
chased leading trio, jumped slowly 4 out, soon outpaced and no chance after
Simonsig won this in 2012 and trainer and jockey will hope that JOSSES HILL can emulate his stablemate's subsequent exploits. Second to Vautour in the Supreme Novices' in March, the six-year-old went on to land a Grade 2 at Aintree in April and the runner-up in that contest, Sgt Reckless, has already won over fences this season. Ptit Zig was also a very smart hurdler last season and has already won twice over fences this term. He was never in any danger of defeat in either of those races and looks a smart chasing prospect. Dunraven Storm was only beaten two lengths by Ptit Zig's stablemate Vibrato Valtat in the Henry VIII at Sandown having beaten the same rival at Cheltenham and will provide a good form guide but Formal Bid and the four-year-old Traffic Fluide may be outside of their comfort zone.
Dunraven Storm (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led, under pressure when mistake last, soon headed and hampered, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Vibrato Valtat (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft.
Formal Bid (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) In rear and in touch, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Yasir (11-2) at Towcester 2m clm hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Ptit Zig (FR) 2-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 8th, challenged 3 out, led going best approaching 2 out, soon clear, unextended, won at Warwick 2m nov chs 4-5yo (3) sft in Nov beating Arthur's Secret (10-7) by 12l, 4 ran.
Josses Hill (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, closed 3 out, led before next, strongly pressed until stayed on strongly and asserted final 150 yards, won at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr beating Sgt Reckless (11-4) by 6l, 10 ran.
Traffic Fluide (FR) (10-5) won at Strasbourg(FR) 2m 4f 4yo chs hvy in Oct beating Ybarra (10-10) by 1l, 4 ran.
