led, headed after 3 out, soon lost place, behind from next, tailed off
tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, lost place when ridden after next, weakened last
towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, never reached leaders
held up behind, pushed along 2 out, headway under pressure on inside between last 2, went 3rd before last, kept on, not pace to touble front pair
in touch, driven after 2 out, kept on same pace before last, never on terms with leaders
mid-division on outside, headway before 3 out, effort after next, one pace before last, well held after
held up in touch, headway 2 out, tracked leader between last 2, upsides last, ridden to lead final 120 yards, stayed on well
mid-division, pushed along 2 out, ridden to chase leaders before last, stayed on to press for 4th flat, no impression
in touch on inside, ridden to chase leaders before last, never on terms, weakened from last
held up behind, outpaced 2 out, stayed on into mid-division before last, ridden and kept on flat, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened last
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, never able to challenge, weakened last
always prominent, led after 3 out, driven between last 2, hard pressed approaching last, soon ridden, headed final 120 yards, kept on, held towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced by front trio approaching last, no impression after, kept on when hard pressed for 4th flat
Paul Nicholls had a 1-2 in the Fred Winter on Wednesday and can confirm his domination of this year's juvenile hurdle scene by saddling ZUBAYR (NAP) to victory in this. One of five entries from Ditcheat, the Authorized gelding has been a comparative latecomer to the hurdling ranks but made an immediate impression when coming with a smooth run to land the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on his debut and there should be plenty more to come. Stablemate Connetable did well to beat useful older horses at Sandown last month and could reverse earlier Ascot running with Gibralfaro, well behind the selection at Kempton. Another Nicholls runner, Frodon, is improving and also has place claims. Ivanovich Gorbatov disappointed behind Footpad in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month but the heavy ground was deemed to be responsible and today's conditions will suit better and he had previously accounted for Let's Dance on debut. Like the latter, the unbeaten filly Apple's Jade represents the Mullins team and Sceau Royal hasn't looked back since beaten a nose by Leoncavallo at Wetherby in the autumn, though may lack a bit of scope and a longer trip might also suit.
Big McIntosh (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led and soon clear, ridden 3 out, hit next and soon headed, blundered last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Sir Chauvelin (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Clan Des Obeaux (FR) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, led narrowly going well approaching last, ridden and not quicken flat, headed final 100 yards, held after, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Protek Des Flos (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Connetable (FR) 15-2 (10-4) Tracked leader, not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, led before jumping right last, pressed flat, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Rayvin Black (11-0) by nk, 4 ran.
Consul De Thaix (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, soon chased front pair, ridden and every chance flat, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Protek Des Flos (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Footpad (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, closer in 5th from 3 out, pushed along from next, progress on outer into straight, soon challenged, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Allblak Des Places (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Frodon (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, effort to challenge last, soon led, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, held on near finish, won at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Feb beating Fixe Le Kap (11-6) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Gibralfaro (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Held up in touch in chasing group, headway approaching 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Zubayr (10-12) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Ivanovich Gorbatov (IRE) 8-13fav (11-0) Soon chased leaders on inner, mistake 5th, pushed along to close approaching 2 out where slight mistake, no impression approaching last, soon no extra, 4th of 8, 9 3/4l behind Footpad (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Leoncavallo (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in 3rd, closing when mistake 2 out, shaken up to challenge when mistake and unseated rider last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Sceau Royal (FR) 2-11fav (11-6) Tracked leader, jumped well, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon led, clear flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (2) sft in Jan beating Perceus (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Tommy Silver (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Made all, jumped left 5th, clear from 2 out, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Ashoka (11-5) by 11l, 4 ran.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 13-8 (11-7) Raced keenly, with leader, led 3rd, driven and headed narrowly approaching last, ridden flat, kept on, no extra in 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Protek Des Flos (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Zubayr (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear of chasing group, headway after 3 out, chased leader next, led last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb beating Azzuri (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Apple's Jade (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along 2 out, closed in 2nd from before last, challenged on inner run-in, led and kept on well closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Jer's Girl (10-5) by hd, 8 ran.
Let's Dance (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Soon led, joined 3 out, soon headed, on terms approaching straight, soon led, headed approaching last where dropped to 3rd and slight mistake, switched right run-in and kept on again closing stages, just denied for 2nd, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Footpad (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
