tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, lost 2nd, kept on to retain 2nd again last, no chance with winner
led, awkward 2nd and 3rd, headed 2 out and weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, weakened next
in touch, ridden and one pace from 2 out
keen, always in rear
keen, tailed off 7th
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
in touch, keen, mistake 1st, ridden 5th, weakening when jumped right 2 out
mid-division, keen, weakened approaching 5th
mid-division on outside, behind from 4th
Alan King has a good record in this race, sending out Katchit to win it in 2006 and Franchoek last year, so we will take him to complete the set with TUANKU. The selection didn't take the breath away when winning on his hurdling debut at Plumpton but he looks sure to progress. Like his more illustrious stablemates, he comes from a humble Flat background but his trainer excels with these sorts and he may have unearthed another gem. Wake Board is an interesting rival; Evan Williams' ex-French gelding was more visually impressive when winning on his British debut at Bangor and he should provide owner Harry Findlay with plenty of fun this season. Shannersburg and Boomtown are potential improvers after just one start apiece when both were midfield finishers, whilst Dubai Baileys, Reve De Sivola and Gold Rock are all interesting newcomers. R De Rien Sivola, who has had two starts over hurdles in Auteuil, is one to watch in the betting on his British debut.
Tuanku (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenging when left in lead 2 out, stayed on well, driven out flat, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Tayarat (10-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Wake Board (FR) 2-7fav (10-12) Made all, clear from 3 out, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Sept beating Rivington Pike (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Boomtown 11-2 (10-12) With leaders, ridden to lead after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 17l behind Gulf Coast (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Dubai Baileys Dubai Destination gelding out of Wild Pavane.
Gold Rock (FR) (9-0) 7th of 8, 8l behind Kitaj (9-0) at Toulouse 1m gs in Jun (Flat).
Reve De Sivola (FR) Assessor gelding out of Eva De Chalamont.
Code Violation 12-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden well over 2f out, soon struggling, 5th of 11, 12l behind Wyeth (11-5) at Bath 1m 5f amt hcp 0-80 (5) sft in Sept (Flat).
Hennalaine (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Led, virtually refused and headed 2nd, behind from 4th, tailed off from 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Tyrrells Wood (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
R De Rien Sivola (FR) (10-3) Never a threat, 7th of 14, 14l behind Bint Elamal (10-3) at Auteuil 1m 7f hdl in Jun.
Sawpit Solitaire 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden after 6th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 41l behind Tyrrells Wood (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Kijivu (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Sonate De La Tour (FR) 50-1 (10-0) In rear, weakened from 5th, in 6th and well beaten when fell in race won by Duke of Touraine (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 9 ran.
Shannersburg (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway from 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 15, 21l behind Ostinata (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
