chased leaders, every chance 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
made virtually all, ridden 2f out, in command over 1f out, clear final furlong, stayed on well
held up in rear, no real headway final 2f
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon outpaced
mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong
behind, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
in touch, on inside when not much room and squeezed out 6f out, no danger after
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, outpaced final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon behind
ducked right start and refused to race
in touch, joined leaders 4f out, chased winners 3f out, chance 2f out, outpaced final furlong
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway and wide outside from 4f out, chased leading pair from 3f out, until no extra inside final furlong
The lure of the saddle has been too hard to resist for Carl Llewellyn, as he teams up with our selection, Quartano, in the finale. Final Veto and Fintan are obvious dangers, while County Zen should be monitored in the betting market. The last named hails from a yard that have a good record in races of this nature and, as this French-bred gelding is related to several winners on the continent, he is one to bear in mind as he gains in experience. Fintan was worthy winner at Huntingdon and he is entitled to respect. However, these are very different conditions and he may struggle under his penalty. Final Veto was not given a hard time in that Huntingdon contest and, as Tom Tate has booked Tony McCoy for the ride, the Yorkshire-based trainer must be confident about reversing that form. A mention also needs to be passed on for Kid Charlemagne, who skipped to victory on testing ground at Towcester on his debut. However, Llewellyn has chosen to ride stablemate Quartano, he gets the nod on this occasion. The son of Platini has spring campaign over hurdles mapped out for him and he is fancied to round off his career in bumpers on a high today.
Fintan 40-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, pushed out, won at Huntingdon 1m 6f nhf (6) gf in Nov beating Helens Vision (10-5) by a hd, 15 ran.
Quartano (GER) 11-4fav (10-12) Prominent, challenged on bit over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec beating The Sportsman (10-12) by 8l, 13 ran.
Airman (IRE) Danehill gelding, brother to winning miler La Danielle, half-brother to 6f & 7f winner Excusez Moi.
Bering de Lauriere (FR) Evening World gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Belle Divine.
County Zen (FR) Lost World gelding, half-brother to minor winning French jumpers Mister County & County Boy.
Evelith Echo Overbury gelding, half-brother to winners up to 1m.
Final Veto 3-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 20, 2l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Hammer Time (IRE) Rudimentary gelding out of winning hurdler Miss Franco.
Hazeam 50-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 17, 27l behind Berings Express (10-12) at Warwick 1m 6f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Imminent Victory 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 13, 32l behind Quartano (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Sophocles In The Wings gelding, half-brother to 7f winner Activity.
Summerofsixtynine Fruits Of Love colt out of a moderate racemare.
Welsh Guard (USA) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 16l behind Turbo Linn (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Katess (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Turbo Linn (10-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f nhf (6) pol in Nov.
Pasqualina Mia 40-1 (10-5) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 18, 17l behind Fiddling Again (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Kid Charlemagne (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) In touch, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Towcester 1m 5f nhf (5) gs in Nov beating Imminent Victory (10-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
