led, hit 5th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, ridden approaching last, soon weakened
held up behind, not fluent 5th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on from last
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
held up mid-division and keen, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from last
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on flat
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, led next, driven out
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, not fluent 1st and 2nd, soon lost place, tailed off from 4th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and keen, weakened after 2 out
held up mid-division, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
It is to be hoped that the forecast fog stays away but CRYSTAL ROCK is likely to be a popular order in the opener with Kingsben and Dhaular Dhar others to attract the eye. Nicky Henderson's team have arrived back in form of late and the Seven Barrows handler relies on Crystal Rock for this engagement. A fair sort on the flat for Barry Hills, he was a little disappointing on his debut at Cheltenham but that was his first run for almost a year and we are prepared to forgive him the race. Kingsben has a welter burden to carry. A dual scorer at Bangor, he is proven under fast conditions. Dhaular Dhar is a fascinating recruit to the winter game. He finished second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes a couple of seasons ago so the ground should not be a worry. Tri Nations returns after a brief absence. He won well at Fakenham during the summer. Up To The Mark faced no chance against the smart Lidar on debut but has the benefit of course experience. The former Sir Mark Prescott charge, Farleigh House had kept good counsel over a mile on the artificial surfaces and its now time to see what he offers for Neil King. Former New Zealand performer, Jonathan Josh, returns to the racecourse following a massive four years off and could be one to note in the market as he is owned by local magnate, Sir Robert Ogden. Crystal Rock gets the percentage call in a tricky race.
Kingsben 6-4 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 5th, ridden after 2 out, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Shadow Dancer (11-5) by 4l, 6 ran.
Ostland (GER) (10-3) 7th of 9, 10l behind Nouveau Roi (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl gs in Sep.
Tri Nations (UAE) 7-2 (11-1) Held up, headway and in touch when hit 4 out, ridden soon after next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, 9l behind Black Jacari (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Bold Indian (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden 4 out, soon lost touch, 7th of 8, well behind Skylancer (11-8) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Crystal Rock (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Not fluent, held up in touch, weakened after 5th, 8th of 9, well behind The Jigsaw Man (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 20, 11l behind Collateral Damage (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov (flat).
Farleigh House (USA) 15-8fav (9-6) In touch, good headway to track leading pair 2f out, hard ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, finished well to take 2nd near finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Ithinkbest (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
Jonathan Josh (NZ) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 16l behind Cruise Director (8-5) at York 1m 4f hcp (3) sft in May '05 (flat).
Kinetic Art (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Close up, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, well behind Sheriff Hall (11-0) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened from 4 out, 11th of 15, well behind The Knoxs (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sarando 20-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 17, 30l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Up To The Mark 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led 2nd to next, chased leaders to 4 out, stayed in 3rd until weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 24l behind Menorah (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Along Came Rosie 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, effort next, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 8, 30l behind Candle (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
