keen, mistakes, behind after 4th
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 4 out, no impression
in touch and keen, hit 2nd, every chance 4 out, hung left from next and weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden to lead 4 out, not fluent last, ridden out
mid-division and keen, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division and keen, jumped right 4th and soon beaten
tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, held when hit last
led, headed 4 out, weakened quickly
Nonrunner
Tatenen is already fairly prominent in the Triumph Hurdle betting and Paul Nicholls' charge is taken to win on his first British start; Franchoek and Ashkazar make it to the shortlist. The selection rounded off his career in France with a win in a valuable Grade Two contest at Auteuil in October and now in the care of Paul Nicholls, a big run can be expected with the ground to suit. Ashkazar, another Gallic recruit was very impressive when winning on his British debut although what he beat is open to debate and he will obviously need to step up here, however it must be noted that he was only beaten five lengths in a Longchamp Group One when trained on the flat. Franchoek's Triumph Hurdle ambitions took a slight knock when beaten at Cheltenham by Harper Valley but one couldn't rule out a return to the winners enclosure. Approved Force is a really strong traveller but this is a leap in class but he certainly deserves it, whilst Art Professor and Lemon Silk are very closely matched on their run at Lingfield last time. Bantry Bere could go well at a price, however it is Tatenen who can take this on his way to a crack at the Triumph! Ante-post tickets at the ready!
Approved Force (USA) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, smooth headway to challenge 2 out, soon led, driven out flat, won at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy beating Hibiki (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Art Professor (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Close up, ridden 2 out, 6 lengths down approaching last, rallied flat, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lemon Silk (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Ashkazar (FR) 15-8 (10-12) Prominent, chased leader after 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, impressive, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Emerald Wilderness (10-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Bantry Bere (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, effort on run to 2 out, where not fluent and bumped, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 22l behind Harper Valley (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd.
Franchoek (IRE) 1-3fav (11-7) Led, ridden and headed when not fluent last, stayed on flat but always held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Harper Valley (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd.
Lemon Silk (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, headway after 3 out, led last, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy beating Art Professor (11-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Serabad (FR) 2-1fav (10-9) Held up in touch, steady headway approaching 3 out, led going well last, shaken up and drew clear flat, readily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Park's Prodigy (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden 4 out, left 3rd when held 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 12l behind Callisto Moon (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3yo lst hdl (1) gf in Nov.
Tatenen (FR) (10-1) won at Auteuil 2m 2f ch sft in Oct beating Piste Aux Etoiles (10-1) by 4l, 9 ran.
Dee Cee Elle 11-2 (8-7) Prominent, pushed along over 5f out, effort over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Make Haste (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Ishismart 20-1 (10-10) fell in race won by Letham Island (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f fll hdl (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Its Moon (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-2) Made all, ridde clear with runner-up 2 out, ran on, won at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf beating Serhaaphim (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Hypnotic Vibes (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 10, 32l behind Sainte Kadette (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Kanonkop 2-1 (10-7) Chased winner until after 3 out, rallied after 2 out, challenged after last, hung left and kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dr McFab (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
