chased leaders, led approaching 4th, headed before next, weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon no chance with impressive winner, clear 2nd best
mid-division, pushed along after 4th, soon lost place and behind next, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 4 out, weakened before 2 out, no chance when blundered last
took keen hold, led until after 1st, chased leaders until weakened after 4 out
led after 1st, blundered next, hit 3rd, headed before 4th, weakened rapidly soon after, soon lost touch, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place and towards rear after 2nd, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, finished well
stumbled badly 1st, mid-division, driven 3 out, one pace and no impression before next
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, well held in 3rd when hit last
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
took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, steady headway before 4th, chased leaders before and every chance when slight peck 3 out, ridden found nil and weakened before next
always behind, ridden and struggling 4 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed when blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last
raced on wide outside in mid-division, headway 3rd, challenged next, led 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened and hit 2 out
took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off
If this Triumph Hurdle Trial is indeed to point us towards a Cheltenham winner come March then it may be through TITAN DE SARTI, although his stablemate Grandouet and impressive Haydock winner Palawi should ensure this won't be easy. Our pick arrives having won a pair of AQPS races in France and his reputation is such that bookmakers are already quoting him as one of the favourites for the Triumph, despite the fact he's yet to jump an obstacle in public. Encouragingly, Nicky Henderson reports the horse to be 'extremely sharp' at home and he could prove a class apart. Grandouet gives the trainer a strong hand as he impressed paddock watchers at Wetherby before refusing to settle and, with that behind him, there could well be more to come. Palawi has rather less to prove having smashed Gulf Punch on his hurdling bow and John Quinn's runner shouldn't be dismissed, while Horatio Caine could be the solution to the case if support arrives as Nick Williams saddled a similar type to win this last year and is a trainer to respect here.
Architrave 10-3 (11-6) Made all, hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to come clear flat, edged left near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f juv hdl (2) gd in Sep beating Two Kisses (10-13) by 5l, 14 ran.
Grandouet (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, smooth headway approaching 4th, led and mistake 5th and rider lost iron, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 15l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
Mason Hindmarsh 50-1 (11-0) Led narrowly to after 1st, soon settled mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led and wandered between last 2, ridden flat, kept on, won at Aintree 2m 1f juv hdl (3) gs in Oct beating Pena Dorada (11-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Palawi (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Prominent on outside, pulled hard, hampered 1st, not fluent next, hit 3rd, soon led, clear 3 out, not fluent last, hard held, won at Haydock 2m juv hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Gulf Punch (11-7) by 11l, 11 ran.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) With leader, led after 1st, headed narrowly 4 out, led again next, headed between last 2, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Mason Hindmarsh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f juv hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Green Art (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 8th of 10, 30l behind Maal (9-6) at Clonmel 1m 2f app clm stks gf in Sep (flat).
Horatio Caine (FR) (10-3) 7th of 14, 40l behind Criqtonic (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in Sep.
Kalamill (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up in 6th, headway 5th, chased leading pair after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Zakeeta (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Plan A (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2out, soon strongly challenged, headed last, rallied flat, kept on under pressure, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Jubail (10-12) at Kempton 2m juv hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Sam Winner (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 8, 2l behind Grand Charly (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 1m 7f hdl sft in Apr.
Titan De Sarti (FR) (10-3) won at Durtal(FR) 1m 3f 3yo stk gs in Jun beating Tenebreuse Gemm (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 0 ran (flat).
Gulf Punch 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 6th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no chance, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Palawi (10-12) at Haydock 2m juv hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Two Kisses (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Close up on outer, took keen hold, in 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept and no impression, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
Zakeeta (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, good headway to join leaders 3rd, led next, clear 2 out, hit next, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f juv hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Freckle Face (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tatispout (FR) (10-1) won at Vichy(FR) 1m 2f 3yo nhf gd in May beating Toscana Conti (10-1) by nk, 8 ran.
