chased leaders, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, mistake 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd and held when flattened the last
chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out, led on long run before 2 out, kept on strongly
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened on long run before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no threat
held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out to chase leaders before went 2nd 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner last
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders and mistake 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th run-in
always towards rear
in touch, headway chasing leaders 4 out, weakened last
raced wide throughout and taken very wide on back straight, chased leaders, weakened last
held up and towards rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 3 out, pushed along and weakened well before next
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, plugged on
chased leader until before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened after next
always behind
always behind
held up towards rear, some late minor headway, never involved
led, ridden and headed on long run before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened quickly
raced keenly, always towards rear, never on terms
JOLLY’S CRACKED IT has been lightly raced since dead-heating in this three years ago and beat Chatez by six lengths over course and distance last month following a very long absence. That was his fourth victory from six starts here and he may take all the beating again, despite top weight. However, this is an ultra-competitive Grade 3 which should produce plenty of future winners. Flying Tiger continues to look well treated but has been refusing to settle. Irish raiders have a good record in this and Emmet Mullins’ Tornado Watch goes on the short-list along with the mud-loving Lord Napier, an eye-catcher at Wincanton. Western Ryder started favourite for the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham last week and finished a close-up third – he may well reverse Greatwood form with Nietzsche. Fidux is on a hat-trick but may now be in the handicapper’s grip with Cyrus Darius making more appeal after a pipe-opener at Haydock. Not Never did well last season but this is a tough race in which to return to action. Grand Sancy may prove the pick of the two Nicholls’ runners but steps up in class.
Jolly's Cracked It (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Keen tracked leaders, hit 3 out, led between last two, ridden and ran on, won at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Chatez (10-7) by 6l, 8 ran.
Cyrus Darius 4-1jfav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance after next, held when blundered last, faded, 7th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Black Mischief (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Fidux (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led just after last, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov beating Global Citizen (11-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Western Ryder (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 2 out, unable to quicken before last, went 3rd and kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Brain Power (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Mohaayed 25-1 (11-6) In touch, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), soon behind, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 18, 12 1/4l behind Nietzsche (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Mont Des Avaloirs (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, went 2nd and hung left between last 2, strong challenge final 100 yards, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Global Citizen (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Mr Antolini (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching last, every chance flat, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Black Mischief (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Lisp (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up off the pace in last pair, headway on outside and hung left after 2 out, 3rd when went left last, stayed on towards finish, went 2nd final stride, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Global Citizen (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Grand Sancy (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, 2nd after 4 out, outpaced after next, rallied last, hard ridden to lead towards finish, stayed on strongly, won at Haydock 2m lst (1) gd in Nov beating Cause Toujours (11-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Fiesole 6-1 (10-10) Waited with, slight mistake 3rd, 8th from 4th, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct beating Wait Here (10-5) by 4l, 11 ran.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) In rear when brought down 4th, at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Tornado Watch (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) In rear, 16th entering straight, soon ridden, went 8th at last, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 21, 3 1/2l behind Wonder Laish (10-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Man Of Plenty 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led after next, edged right after last, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec beating Nelson's Touch (10-7) by 7l, 10 ran.
Nietzsche 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out (usual 4 out), led after last (usual 2 out), ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely when hard pressed final furlong, just held on ( 3 flights omitted, low sun), won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Silver Streak (11-5) by nk, 18 ran.
Lord Napier (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Our Merlin (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Not Never 5-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, not fluent 4 out, led and hit 3 out, soon went clear, went left last, easily, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Jumping Jack (10-4) by 16l, 7 ran.
Forecast 4-1 (11-6) Behind, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, drew clear last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Notre Ami (11-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
First Figaro (GER) 5-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden 2 out, soon joined leader, hung right approaching last, soon led, ridden out (2nd hurdle after the winning post omitted), won at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Etamine Du Cochet (10-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Court Royale (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, led last, held on well, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Darling Maltaix (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Friday Night Light (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 5th of 10, 27l behind Man Of Plenty (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Chatez (IRE) 3-1fav (10-7) Pulled hard, held up, ridden and headway 2 out, chased winner when hit last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
