led, soon clear, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace closing stages
held up, off the pace, in rear, took closer order 4 out, chased leaders after next, hit 2 out, no extra closing stages
held up, off the pace, in 4th, took closer order 4 out, led before 2 out, drew clear last, driven out, readily
tracked clear leader, mistake 4th, took closer order and mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, remote 5th
tracked clear leader, raced keenly, not fluent 2nd, took closer order 4 out, mistake next, soon under pressure, kept on same pace approaching last
Bagad Bihoue has only been beaten once so far in this country and that was in a Grade 2 over a longer trip. But he faces no easy task here giving 10lb to less-exposed rivals, less his rider's claim. Paul Nicholls also runs newcomer Peak To Peak, who is a half-brother to the versatile Gabrial The Great, and Moscato could be a smart recruit. He won five times on the Flat and was fourth in the Northumberland Plate in June, though will probably do better over further. First Drift has won a point-to-point and a couple of bumpers but CULTIVATOR (NAP) looks the one to be on. Nicky Henderson has won this four times in nine years and his five-year-old, who won the bumper on this card 12 months ago, will have learned plenty from his second at Kempton in May.
Bagad Bihoue (FR) 1-2fav (12-5) Made all, clear 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gf in Oct beating Double Treasure (10-12) by 16l, 4 ran.
Archangel Raphael (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 4th, headed next, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Movewiththetimes (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Oct.
Cultivator 11-8fav (11-0) Off the pace in 5th, awkward 3rd, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Master Of Speed (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn (4) gd in May.
First Drift 4-9fav (11-7) Led early, soon settled in 2nd or 3rd, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Worcester 2m (6) gf in May beating Deliveringpromises (10-10) by 10l, 4 ran.
Moscato 13-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 20, 7 1/4l behind Star Rider (8-13) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp stks (2) gf in Jul.
Peak To Peak (IRE) Authorized gelding out of Bayourida.
