tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra
mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch, hit 5th and 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, stayed on strongly
prominent when went left 1st, struggling 4th, soon behind
always towards rear
led, blundered 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, 6th and beaten when not fluent last
tracked leader, hit 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace from last
chased leaders early, tailed off from after 4th
mid-division, hit 2nd, pecked next, weakened after 3 out
held up, some headway after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well from last, went 3rd near finish
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
French import R DE RIEN SIVOLA gets all the allowances going here and the filly who won on her debut for Paul Nicholls at Chepstow last month, form on which she holds Tuanku, has solid claims and she gets the verdict ahead of Giorgio Quercus and Saticon. The last mentioned is, like Tuanku, trained by Alan King who has won this race for the last two years and he has to be respected having won well enough on his hurdling debut at Kempton. Richard Fahey's Resounding Glory has done everything asked of him so far, winning at both Ludlow and Wetherby, but this is tougher and of more interest may be Nampour. Philip Hobbs has his team in great form at present and, having shown improved form from his debut outing, he has to be considered. Simarian has more to do than when winning over course and distance last time, while Starluck created a favourable impression when opening his account at Huntingdon and he could be of interest. Nicky Henderson's Giorgio Quercus has the benefit of more experience than his rivals having raced over hurdles in France and he won with ease on his debut for new connections at Hereford recently so he has to be respected. Plenty have chances but it is hard to get away from R De Rien Sivola, who gets the vote.
Giorgio Quercus (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, drew clear from 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Solar Max (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Hampstead Heath (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd after 3 out, led next, soon strongly pressed, headed last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 18, 2l behind El Fontan (11-4) at Listowel 2m 3yo hdl hvy in Sept.
Nampour (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Made all, mistake 5th, challenged last, stayed on well under pressure, driven out, won at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Oct beating Black Jacari (11-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Saticon 8-15fav (10-12) Held up, headway on inside approaching 2 out, soon chasing leader, led last, driven and kept on well flat, won at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Maxwil (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Simarian (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, outpaced by leaders after 3 out, staying on well when jumped left last, kept on under pressure to lead last stride, won at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Love And Glory (10-12) by a ns, 12 r.
Cherokee Star 16-1 (10-12) Made all, jumped right 1st, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on flat, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Akarshan (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rory Boy (USA) 17-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 24l behind Simarian (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Tobago Bay 20-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Simarian (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Tuanku (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Keen early, always prominent, led 3 out, hung left flat, ridden and headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Starluck (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Anfield Road 10-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden 4f out, 4th before straight, no extra from under 2f out, 9th of 16, 11l behind Shanghai Star (9-13) at Roscommon 1m 4f mdn stk gs in Sept (Flat).
Arthurian (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, struggling after 7th, 5th of 11, 23l behind Cherokee Star (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Love And Glory (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd next, led soon after 2 out, edged right approaching last, swished tail flat, caught last stride, 2nd of 12, shd behind Simarian (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Never dangerous, 6th of 12, 25l behind R De Rien Sivola (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Zafranagar (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Taverny (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f stk in Jun (Flat).
R De Rien Sivola (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Tuanku (11-5) by 8l, 12 ran.
Starluck (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching last, shaken up flat, ran on well to lead near finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Tuanku (11-5) by a nk, 11 ran.
