tracked leaders, jinked and nearly unseated rider on flat after 3rd, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up after 3 out
led early, tracked leader on long run to 1st, ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, never in contention
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, stayed on one pace, never got on terms
mid-division, pushed along and chased leaders 3 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out
mid-division, raced keenly, not fluent 4th, headway into 2nd home turn, led 3 out, pressed and pushed along 2 out, soon went clear, stayed on strongly, comfortably
towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never involved
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, ridden and beaten after 2 out
towards rear, mid-division after 4th, went 3rd before 3 out, pressed leader before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, soon well held by winner, kept on
handy, led on long run to 1st, headed and bad mistake 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden and minor headway 3 out, weakened before omitted last
PORTICELLO beat Magistrato by three lengths at Auteuil in the spring and gave weight and a beating to Genuflex on his UK debut. He lost nothing in defeat behind Knight Salute in a Grade 2 at Doncaster earlier this month, when the going may not have been testing enough, and can get back on the winning trail here. Skycutter, a decent sort on the Flat, is 2-2 over hurdles and well worth a try at this higher level given he loves the mud. Tease And Seize is also unbeaten after two hurdle starts but Forever Blessed, another on a hat-trick, has the stronger form, trouncing Romeo's Bond by 18 lengths at Sandown latest. Forever William was a maiden on the Flat but made a winning start over timber at Newbury but Saint Segal will need to take a step forward from his Bangor victory.
Forever Blessed (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Jumped well, tracked leader, bold jump to lead 2 out, went clear between last two, very easily, won at Sandown 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Romeo's Bond (11-5) by 18l, 9 ran.
Forever William 6-1 (10-12) Held up, closer on inside in mid-division 2nd, chased leaders 4th, pushed along after 4 out, good jump to challenge 3 out, led next, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Dr T J Eckleburg (10-12) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Genuflex 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, held every chance when mistake last, kept on same pace run in, no match for winner, 2nd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Porticello (11-3) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
Iroko (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 14, 4l behind Intense Raffles (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Sep.
Magistrato (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly in close 3rd on inside, went 2nd on inside between last two, led last, headed and readily outpaced by winner run-in, weakened and lost two places towards finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Knight Salute (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Porticello (FR) 6-4fav (11-3) Led and set steady pace, quickened approaching 3 out, flattened 3 out, ridden and joined last, soon headed, lost 2nd run-in, rallied and went 2nd again last strides, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Knight Salute (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Rocky Man (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, pushed along and outpaced between last two, plugged on run-in but never and chance, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Knight Salute (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Saint Riquier (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked winner, challenged 4th, chance when hit 3 out, pushed along and no chance with winner before 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Graystone (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Saint Segal (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Close up, headway to chase leader 4 out, ridden to lead when edged left approaching last, ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Book of Secrets (10-12) by 3l, 8 ran.
Skycutter (FR) 1-2fav (11-3) Made all, soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, shaken up run in, ran on, won at Musselburgh 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Collingham (11-3) by 2l, 6 ran.
Tease And Seize (FR) 6-5fav (11-5) In touch, headway 2 out, led next, ridden and ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec beating Glide Down (10-12) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Romeo's Bond 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders out wide, not fluent 1th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, well held when bad mistake 2 out, went remote 2nd post, never any chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Forever Blessed (11-5) at Sandown 2m (2) gs in Dec.
