tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, pulled up before 6th
held up tracking leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, soon weakened
led, headed 5f, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden after 4f out, kept on the one pace
in touch and always going well, headway after 6f, ridden clear soon after 2f out, in command when stumbled last
tracked leaders, led 5f, ridden soon after 3f out, weakening when headed soon after 2f out
held up rear, some progress 6th, ridden 3rd out, one pace
always in the rear, tailed off from 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3rd out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened after 6th
always in the rear
always in the rear
in touch, joined leaders 6th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace approaching last
held up towards rear, steady headway 6th, ridden 3 out, chased winner last, kept on but not reach
mid to rear, weakened after 6th
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent and keen, soon lost place after 6th
In a quality event to open proceedings, Neptune Collonges is selected to get the better of Jeremy Cuddleduck, Naples, Circassian and Massini's Maguire to name but four lively opponents. No doubt many of today's line-up will be back her in March for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle, including Neptune Collonges who came over from France with a big reputation, having won five of his six races over fences. Racing in the colours of John Hales, he is ineligible for novice chases, so Paul Nicholls has mapped out a hurdles campaign that will hopefully culminate in a return visit in five months time for the big one. He duly did the business on his British bow at Chepstow at the start of the month and is expected to win this before going to Sandown and Newbury before the end of the year. Jeremy Cuddleduck has won all three starts to date, and indeed claimed the scalp of the highly-rated Karanja at Aintree last time so should go well along with Naples, successful on three of his last four outings in Ireland. Circassian picked up a few wins on the Flat before making his debut over timber at Wetherby a fortnight ago. Just touched off by Two Miles West, the pair clear, he should have no difficulty opening his account soon. Massini's Maguire already has, and ran a game race in defeat when collared by Rimsky at Chepstow in a Grade 2 contest last time. Black Jack Ketchum could be anything in time as can Flash Cummins, a recruit from the Irish pointing scene. All in all, a veritable feast to set before punters, with Neptune Collonges the one to be on on this occasion.
Jeremy Cuddle Duck (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and under pressure next, all out, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (C) sft in Oct beating Karanja (10-12) by a hd, 7 ran.
Naples 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders on outer, led 3 out, strongly pressed after next, headed after last, soon no extra, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Carrick Dante (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl gs in Sept.
Robert (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Close up in 2nd, disputed lead 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear before last, stayed on well, easily, won at Galway 2m 4f nov hdl gf in Jul beating Somethingforsunday (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
The Spoonplayer (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, improved to lead after 4 out, headed after 2 out, no extra under pressure approaching last, 4th of 22, 8l behind Outlaw Princess (10-12) at Naas 2m 3f nov hdl gs in Oct.
Black Jack Ketchum (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, left in lead after 8th, quickened clear flat, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct beating Smart Mover (10-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Neptune Collonges (FR) 1-3fav (10-12) Made all, clear 2 out, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy beating Mister Quasimodo (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Almutasader 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, lost place 5th, behind from 7th, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Saltango (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd.
Alphabetical (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up last, headway 6th and chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Denman (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Circassian (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, headway to lead approaching 3 out, soon headed, ridden and kept on well from 2 out, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Two Miles West (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (C) sft in Oct.
Flash Cummins (IRE) (11-9) 2nd of 12, 12l behind Medianoche (11-9) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gs.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 37l behind Lyes Green (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (E) hvy.
Joe Mchugh (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 16, 45l behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Massini's Maguire (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Always in touch, chased leader from 7th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, soon headed, weakened, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Rimsky (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Powerstation (IRE) 13-8 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th after halfway, improved into 2nd after 3 out, ridden and every chance after 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 22, 3 1/2l behind Outlaw Princess (10-12) at Naas 2m 3f nov hdl gs in Oct.
Seomra Hocht (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, pulled up before 6 out pulled up at the 9th in race won by Dix Villez (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gf in Jul, 18 ran.
Sidcup's Gold (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, driven after next, behind from 6th, 10th of 15, well behind Mikado (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (F) gs in Oct.
The Squatter (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 5th from before straight, ridden to go 2nd from last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Kalabar (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov hdl gs in Sept.
Too Posh To Share 50-1 (10-7) Chased lead to 5th, weakened after next, 6th of 7, well behind State of Play (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gf in Jun.
