chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, hit 3 out, closed after 2 out, ridden to lead last, soon edged left, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened after 4th
led until after 1st, chased leader until led again 4th, soon clear, ridden 2 out, edged right and headed last, stayed on, no impression towards finish
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after 2 out, 3rd and no impression when mistake last
held up in 5th, went 4th before 3 out, never on terms and well held 2 out
led after 1st, jumped right and not fluent 4th, headed when not fluent next, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
not always fluent in rear, behind form 3rd
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened well before 3 out
ADRIEN DU PONT has the best form in this and is likely to be a warm favourite. Though losing his unbeaten record at Cheltenham last month, he wasn't beaten far by a smart novice he'd beaten earlier over this track and trip and has the beating of Chic Name on the form book. Coo Star Sivola was only beaten half-a-length in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November and has to be respected as that was his UK debut. Jaboltiski has won both starts over timber but steps up several grades for this while the filly Forgiving Glance didn't managed a win in 11 starts on the Flat and has found one too good in two runs over hurdles. Major Mac can improve on his third at Newbury, however, and did win on heavy going on the level. He makes more appeal than stablemates Borak and Nabhan, first and second at Ffos Las last month.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 13-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader, mistake 3 out, led approaching last, headed soon after hurdle, held final 100 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Borak (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Held up in 4th, left 3rd when hampered 2nd, went 2nd and close up before 3 out, led on bit approaching next, soon clear, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Nabhan (10-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Chic Name (FR) 66-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon beaten, left 3rd at hurdle, no extra, 3rd of 5, 11 3/4l behind Sceau Royal (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Coo Star Sivola (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pecked 1st, effort after 2 out, went 2nd when dived left last, switched left and stayed on flat, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Wolf Of Windlesham (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Jaboltiski (SPA) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, wandered run-in, kept on well, pushed out, finished tired, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov beating Swincombe Toby (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Major Mac 7-1 (10-12) Led 1st, clear next until after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, edged left and one pace before the last, 3rd of 9, 17 1/4l behind Kasakh Noir (10-12) at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Nabhan 6-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, close up before 3 out, went 2nd when went left and mistake next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner before last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Borak (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Forgiving Glance 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 2 out, switched right then hit last, stayed on to take 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Jer's Girl (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) sft in Dec.
