promient, led 4th, ridden clear last, kept on well, ridden out
mid-division, tracked leaders after 4th, ridden after 2 out, not pace of leading pair
led until 4th, with winner, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, hit 4th, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, held when mistake last
took keen hold, not fluent 1st, hampered 2 out, always towards rear
keen early, not fluent 1st, always towards rear
mid-division, headway 3 out, close 5th when fell 2 out
hampered 2 out, always towards rear
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
chased leaders, hit 1st, ridden after 4th, soon weakened
mid-divison until weakened 3 out
Franchoek or Tatenen is the question and the answer is Franchoek; Serabad has the strongest form claims of the remainder. Like his stablemate and last year's winner Katchit, Franchoek seems to relish racing and has proved to be a tough and durable performer, an uncomplicated sort who just gallops his rivals into the ground. Tatenen has two and a half lengths to find with him on their running at Chepstow and Tatenen's connections will be hopeful that their charge can make up the ground as he was conceding the advantage of race fitness that day. There's every chance that he will run Alan King's runner closer today but the selection has proven form at this track and had valid excuses for his defeat here in December where he didn't get the strong pace that he needs. Franchoek holds the upper hand and it makes no sense to desert him here.
Franchoek (IRE) 7-4jt-fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden to lead 4 out, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec beating Tatenen (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Squadron 6-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft beating Serhaaphim (10-10) by 2l, 6 ran.
Tatenen (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, held when hit last, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Franchoek (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Serabad (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Franchoek (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Distiller (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead briefly approaching 2 out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 6, 12l behind Squadron (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
He's Mine Too 8-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, tracked winner to over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 10l behind Glenridding (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
I Predict A Riot (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on, not pace of winner from last, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Group Captain (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Mark of Love (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Jumped right and never fluent, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed well before last, kept on same pace, hit last, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Zanir (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Master Halling 18-1 (8-9) Always in rear, pushed along 4f out and soon outpaced, last of 7, 20l behind Russian Invader (8-7) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct (Flat).
Kanonkop 2-1 (10-7) Chased winner until after 3 out, rallied after 2 out, challenged after last, hung left and kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dr McFab (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Kassuta 11-2 (9-9) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 27l behind Hall of Fame (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
