took keen hold, held up behind, headway into mid-division 4th, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last
held up in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, soon clear, driven and stayed on well flat
in touch, led briefly before 2nd, tracked leader, driven and outpaced after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair
led to before 2nd, tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd between last 2, effort when mistake last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat
behind, jumped left and reminder 3rd, lost touch next, tailed off 3 out
keen early, behind, lost touch 4th, tailed off 3 out
mid-division, lost place 4th, soon behind, no danger after
mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 3rd, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon behind
mistake 1st, mid-division on inside, short lived effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last
towards rear, effort to chase leaders 2 out, soon no impression
refused to settle behind leaders, led 2nd, headed between last 2, soon weakened
Sam Winner was possibly flattered by his 15-length win in a Grade 2 over C&D last month, though should confirm that form with never-nearer fourth Horatio Caine. Paul Nicholls' charge had three runs over hurdles in France previously without getting off the mark. We prefer another import A MEDIA LUZ, who gets all the allowances as a filly and was thought good enough to contest the French Oaks in the summer - she's sure to have been well schooled. We see no reason why the hat-trick seeking Pullyourfingerout should reverse the form of his debut run behind Akula at Ludlow but more interesting is Pantxoa, who impressed at Warwick and has scope for further improvement.
Pantxoa (FR) 4-9fav (11-5) Pulled hard early, soon led, in command and stayed on well from 2 out, not fluent last, unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Omaruru (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Sam Winner (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside soon after 3rd, chased leaders 4 out, led on outside before 2 out, drew right away soon after, very easily, impressive, won at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Grandouet (11-6) by 15l, 15 ran.
Akula (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, joined when mistake 2 out, soon headed, kept trying gamely, still every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Jolly Roger (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Pullyourfingerout (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Made all, 5 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Manxman (10-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Blinka Me 8-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 13l behind The Starboard Bow (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Aug (flat).
Green Art (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, blundered next, hit 3rd, headed before 4th, weakened rapidly soon after, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Horatio Caine (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place and towards rear after 2nd, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, finished well, 4th of 15, 25l behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Kayef (GER) (9-2) 6th of 9, 9l behind Jo All The Way (9-2) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 7f stk gd in Sep (flat).
Killusty Fancy (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, ridden and hit 2 out, headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 4l behind First Fandango (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Red Sparky (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Led, pushed along and headed after 3 out, under pressure in 4th when mistake 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 9l behind Apache Drums (11-0) at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Tom Wade (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 3 out, led last, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Al Dafa (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct.
A Media Luz (FR) 40-1 (8-13) 6th of 9, 12l behind Sarafina (8-13) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun (flat).
