in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when hampered last
towards rear, pushed along 3rd, headway approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, edged left and stayed on flat
mid-division, headway 6th, slightly outpaced approaching 2 out, staying on well and 4 lengths down in 3rd when fell last
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, driven out
made most until ridden and headed last, not quicken flat
in touch to 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 4th
slightly hampered 4th, always behind
behind, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
held up and jumped right, not fluent 1st, ridden when hung right and headway approaching last, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
pulled hard, soon prominent, not fluent and weakened 6th
towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden when blundered 2 out, one pace flat
behind, some headway approaching last, never a factor
in touch, hit 5th, weakened 2 out
mid-division until weakened 6th
Detroit City is taken to stave off the challenges of Afsoun, Mister Hight and Kasbah Bliss, with Fair Along and First Row just a few more to note. No doubt the Irish will will be lumping on Mister Hight as Willie Mullins has already said that the former Flat performer is his best hope of having a Festival winner, and with solid efforts at both Punchestown and Leopardstown to his credit, he should indeed go close. However, he was not totally fluent over two of the final three flights during his latest victory, and he will need to jump at his very best to repel a strong field here. With that in mind we prefer to side with Detroit City who bids to give Philip Hobbs a second Triumph after Made In Japan's victory three years ago. Detroit City is rated better by the stable, and there is every chance that the former Jeremy Noseda inmate can pull it off. He handled the Sandown hill really well when disposing of Afsoun's stablemate Royals Darling last time, and as long as it does not turn soft, we reckon that he can power home. Afsoun is a progressive sort and has been well backed ante-post, but the vibes emanating from Seven Barrows at the weekend regarding his well being were not encouraging, and so although Nicky Henderson has a terrific record in the race, having won it three times in all, Afsoun is there to be taken on. Like Detroit City, Kasbah Bliss handled the stiff Sandown hill when scoring on his most recent start, and bids to emulate Snow Drop, whom Francois Doumen sent out to land the spoils six years ago. The selection's stablemate Fair Along beta both Him and Afsoun here in November and although beaten on his last two starts, deserves to be in the line-up as does First Row, third to Mister Height at Leopardstwon either side of two wins. All in all, it promises to be an exciting start to day four, and one in which Detroit City gets the nod.
Afsoun (FR) 4-11fav (11-6) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gd in Feb beating Kalmini (10-13) by 10l, 10 ran.
Blazing Bailey 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led soon after 3 out, headed 2 out, held before last, stayed on again towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Kasbah Bliss (11-5) at Sandown 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Breathing Fire 66-1 (11-0) Held up, headway entering straight, not fluent last, 2nd early run-in, edged left under pressure close home, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mister Hight (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Detroit City (USA) 2-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden to chase leaders 6th, led well before 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Royals Darling (11-3) by 7l, 9 ran.
Fair Along (GER) 11-2 (11-0) Led, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 15, 19l behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
First Row (IRE) 2-1 (10-8) Close up in 2nd, led after 3 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, slight mistake when left clear 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb beating Bobs Pride (10-11) by 15l, 10 ran.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) In touch, chased leading pair from 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, in command last, edged right and stayed on well flat, won at Sandown 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Blazing Bailey (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Love Angel (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, stayed tracking leader, weakened quickly 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Kasbah Bliss (11-5) at Sandown 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Held up, headway when hit 2 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd last, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Bureaucrat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Mister Hight (FR) 4-9fav (11-0) Held up, slight mistake 3 out, smooth headway after next, led when slight mistake last, quickened clear run-in, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb beating Breathing Fire (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Night Bridge (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Held up in 4th, 3rd from 4 out, headway after 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Jan beating Openide (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Oh Calin (FR) (10-6) Prominent, effort 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Un Nononito (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 1f chs Grd 2 sft in Nov.
Overlut (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Made all, mistake 3 out, jumped left from next, ridden out, won at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb beating Bold Fire (11-1) by 4l, 5 ran.
Pace Shot (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Close up, headway to track leader 6th, led and went left approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Slew Charm (10-7) by 2l, 11 ran.
Restoration (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, 3rd next, weakened quickly after 2 out, 9th of 19, 19l behind Vintage Gold (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl gs in Jan.
Turko (FR) 4-6fav (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway 3 out, chased leader 2 out, led last all out, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Pablo Du Charmil (12-0) by 2l, 17 ran.
Linnet (GER) 15-8 (10-3) Close up, left in lead 3 out, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Flaming Weapon (11-1) by 1l, 18 ran.
