in touch to halfway, soon outpaced, left 4th 2 out, no impression after
reluctant to race and lost 20 lengths, hampered 2nd, soon tailed off, pulled up before 7th
left in lead 2nd, headed 5th, tracked winner to 8th, blundered badly and unseated rider next
chased leaders, led 5th, left clear 2 out, ran on strongly
towards rear, not fluent 1st and 7th, never dangerous
held up, headway 7th, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner
held up, headway 5th, chasing winner when blundered 9th, 5 lengths down, going well when fell 2 out
towards rear, hampered 2nd, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out, weakened
led to 1st, brought down next
Wahiba Sands has failed to reach the frame in seven previous starts here so it is no surprise to see Tony McCoy opting to ride Martin Pipe's other runner Tango Royal but we prefer to side with the novice Santenay. Admittedly this is tougher than previous races over fences for the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding but he looks to be going the right way, is well handicapped on the pick of his hurdles form and, with doubts concerning most of his rivals, the French-bred gelding makes most appeal. Tysou would have claims if staying upright but makes too many mistakes, while Latalomne was well held on his chasing return here last month and seems to save his best form at this track for the Queen Mother. The hat trick-seeking Cameron Bridge is not certain to appreciate the drop in trip, even on this track and of more interest could be Robert Alner's No Visibility, who is entitled to improve for his recent reappearance run at Ascot. However, Santenay is unexposed over fences and looks well worth a bet.
