raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, awkward at 3rd, hit 2 out, pushed along turning in, ridden and no impression before the last, weakened soon after
raced keenly, led until before 2nd, chased leader, hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
chased leader, led before 2nd, ridden and headed home turn, soon lost 2nd and weakened
ran in snatches towards rear, jumped slowly 4th and next, headway chasing leaders under pressure after 3 out, went 2nd next, led home turn, headed before the last, easily outpaced and no chance with winner, lost 2nd final strides
always in rear, outpaced and struggling after 3 out, rallied out wide chasing leaders turning in, stayed on run-in, went 2nd final strides, no chance with impressive winner
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before the last
bit keen early, waited with towards rear, smooth headway before 2 out, tracking leaders and switched right turning in, soon 2nd, led on bit before the last, soon clear, impressive
mid-division, switched out and headway chasing leaders after 2 out, ridden turning in, went remote 5th at the last
PIED PIPER (NAP) beat a well-regarded odds-on favourite on his hurdling debut at Punchestown. The first two pulled a long way clear of the third, who has since gone close in another maiden, and Gordon Elliott’s charge could be a very smart recruit. Silver Shade won easily at Kempton but this is a big step up and it was heavy going when Moulins Clermont beat three rivals at Sandown. Interne De Sivola had the run of the race here last month and carries a penalty along with the unbeaten Iceo but Forever William should find this easier than the Grade 1 he contested last time at Chepstow.
Iceo (FR) 9-4fav (11-3) Raced keenly, led, headed after 2nd, chased leader until led before 2 out, came clear from 2 out, impressive, won at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec beating Rewired (10-12) by 17l, 10 ran.
Interne De Sivola (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Handy, led 2nd, pushed along before last, not fluent final flight, ran on well, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gs in Dec beating Yorksea (10-12) by 5 1/2l, 10 ran.
Boulette (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed just after 3 out, 3rd and no extra from next, left 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Gala De Corton (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Forever William 20-1 (11-0) Led early, tracked leader on long run to 1st, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 9 1/4l behind Porticello (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Moka De Vassy (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied out wide before last, modest 3rd and not fluent last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Forever William (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Moulins Clermont (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) Bit keen, made all, went clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Jan beating Malakahna (10-11) by 13l, 4 ran.
Pied Piper 16-5 (11-2) Prominent 1st, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, led after 4 out, ridden and pressed before last, kept on well run-in, pressed close home, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Vauban (11-2) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Silver Shade (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, in touch, went prominent after 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, pushed along and led before last, ridden out run-in, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Cuban Cigar (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
