in touch, headway to track leaders 5th, stayed on under pressure, hung left approaching last
held up, headway after 7th, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, keen, led briefly 7th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, kept on gamely
towards rear, headway 5th, weakened 4 out, behind, very tired when fell last
towards rear, brief effort after 7th
held up, keen, headway 7th, kept on one pace fromened 3 out
led, keen, headed 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 6th, weakened 4 out, behind when fell last
towards rear, headway 6th, kept on one pace
in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, lost place after 6th
tracked leaders, led after 7th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
towards rear, lost touch from 6th, mistake 3 out, pulled up approaching last
held up, headway 5th to track leaders, ridden 3 out, close up approaching last, no extra after last
We'll side with Piste Des Etoiles ahead of Crescent Island and King Caine but the market should prove to be a useful tool here. The selection is a French import who finished second to the yard's Triumph Hurdle fancy Tatenen in a Grade 2 hurdle at Auteuil on his penultimate start and has also finished close up behind Five Dream earlier in his career. He's still a maiden after 6 starts but may not be for much longer. Crescent Island was unconsidered on his hurdling bow but ran out a game winner of what looked to be a strong race at Newbury. He's entitled to improve again and shouldn't be underestimated. Nor should King Caine despite Sam Thomas partnering the French import as Liam Heard's claim helps to negate his penalty for winning at Exeter. That form's beginning to work out quite nicely and this longer trip will suit. Krackatara and Black Ven may provide each-way players with a bit of sport but French import Piste Aux Etoiles may be able to star today.
Crescent Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Stripe Me Blue (10-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
King Caine (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, all out flat, just held on, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Planet of Sound (11-5) by a shd, 12 ran.
Black Ven (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, driven 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 17l behind Superior Wisdom (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Colonial Jim (IRE) Rudimentary gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Just Paddy 100-1 (11-4) Never a factor, 8th of 16, well behind Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Krackatara 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 15l behind Beshabar (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Leading Article (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Robin De Sherwood (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Mr Excel (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Radmores Revenge 150-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 50l behind Crescent Island (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ronan The Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 14th of 17, well behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Azione 9-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, well behind Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Gemgaballou (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) In touch, not fluent, weakened 4 out, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Forest Pennant (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 16 ran.
Piste Aux Etoiles (FR) (10-6) Held up, headway and every chance 2 out, faded, 6th of 14, 18l behind Don Lino (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Nov.
