raced keenly, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
always behind, tailed off 3 out
held up, some headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out, led between last 2, driven when clear last, eased near finish
chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 3rd, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to go modest 3rd, last, no impression
led, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression approaching last
prominent, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard, not jump well in rear, lost touch 3rd, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
close up on outside, outpaced 5th, no danger after
John Wade's La Fortalesa was good value for his win at Newcastle in October but he disappointed under a penalty at Musselburgh the following month and looks best watched today having to give weight away all round on ground that may be too testing so a chance is taken with RIVER ARDECHE, with Harrison's Star rated the pick of the remainder. The selection improved from his debut outing when last seen over hurdles last month, Pat Haslam's runners normally improve with racing and having shown winning form on testing ground on the flat and at Southwell recently, the ground conditions are unlikely to be a concern so he looks worth supporting. Being by Captain Rio, Pam Sly's Elk Trail should also handle the ground on his hurdling debut and he has to be considered along with another newcomer Andy Crook's Victorias. Micky Hammond's Amir Pasha has given little sign of encouragement in two starts over hurdles and a bigger threat is likely to come from George Moore's Harrison's Star, who has run some reasonable races over timber. None of the newcomers would need to be anything out of the ordinary to take the honours here though but it is River Ardeche that looks the pick and he gets the vote.
La Fortalesa (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Raced keenly and tracked leader, ridden and hit 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 39l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Actabou 66-1 (10-7) Behind, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 25-1 (11-0) With leaders and keen, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Pemberton (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Elk Trail (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) In rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 15l behind United Nations (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs (Flat).
Harrison's Star 16-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders 5th, never trouble leaders, 11th of 14, 35l behind Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Mardood 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon driven and beaten, 4th of 5, 30l behind Nine Stories (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
River Ardeche 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, outpaced 5th, no impression from after 3 out, 8th of 16, 32l behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bonny Bright Eyes 20-1 (10-2) Led, clear approaching 5th, headed after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 22l behind Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Born To Frill 100-1 (10-2) Held up and keen, swerved right and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Barashi (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Victorias 33-1 (10-5) Led, mistake and headed 2 out, one pace after, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Nine Stories (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Zaurel (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, well behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
