tracked leaders, pushed along on long run before last, chased winner approaching last, ridden and held flat
in touch, headway on long run after 6th, challenge on inside and led well before last, driven and kept on gamely flat
tracked leader, led after 5th, headed well before last, weakened quickly
chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, headway under pressure before last, no extra flat
held up, headway on long run before last, disputing 3rd and one pace when hit last
led until headed before 6th, weakened soon after
always behind, lost touch 4th, soon tailed off
always behind, tailed off when mistake 5th
In an excellent race, Pauillac gets our vote ahead of Katchit and Good Bye Simon. Whichever horse wins this race will be rated just about the best juvenile hurdlers that we have seen this season. The key players look to be the Thierry Doumen-trained Good Bye Simon, who warmed up for this with a very good Chepstow win; Katchit, who is four from five for the season now and, last time out, gave Ned Ludd four pounds and an eight-length beating over course and distance (Good Bye Simon beat Ned Ludd four lengths at levels at Chepstow); Pancake, who has won his last two and who showed a good attitude when scoring on testing going at Newbury last time; and Pauillac, who has looked very good indeed in winning his last two races. With the promising Predateur also in the field plus the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Mountain, who boasts the credentials of finishing eighth in last season's Derby, and of being a Listed class Flat winner plus being Group placed. It all adds up to a fascinating race, in which we will stay loyal to Pauillac.
Good Bye Simon (FR) 9-4 (11-0) In touch, headway after 4th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec beating Ned Ludd (11-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Katchit (IRE) 7-4 (11-7) Mid-division, smooth progress to track leaders after 6th, led on bit approaching last, shaken up flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Ned Ludd (11-3) by 8l, 12 ran.
Pancake (FR) 1-4fav (11-5) Made all, drew clear approaching last, eased close home, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy beating Risk Runner (11-5) by 17l, 4 ran.
Pauillac (FR) 2-5fav (11-3) Made all, stayed on strongly, comfortably, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy beating Junior (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Predateur (FR) 4-5fav (10-7) Held up, headway 6th, led approaching last, quickened clear, readily, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft beating Gracechurch (10-7) by 9l, 10 ran.
Celtic Warrior (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Financial Reward (11-2) at Thurles 2m 4yo hdl sft.
The Preacher 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, brief effort after 4th, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Good Bye Simon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Looker 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 26l behind Fabrian (9-6) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Mountain (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) In touch, headway to chase leader over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Short Skirt (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct (Flat).
Psycho Cat 15-2 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 37l behind Sunley Song (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
