held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and chance before last, kept on to take 2nd place last 100 yards, held towards finish
held up in rear, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, kept on from before last, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 2 out, led last, driven out
led, ridden after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd before 3 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra last 100 yards
Sametegal won a Listed race at Wetherby on his UK debut and will make a bold bid to follow up here. But VASCO DU RONCERAY's second to Far West at Cheltenham looks the stronger form and Nicky Henderson's French import can land this Grade 2 even though Jeremiah McGrath won't be able to claim his allowance. Of the others, there's probably more to come from Market Rasen winner Kashmir Peak while Counsel and Outback are no mugs. Mashaari won a competitive 2m2f handicap on the Flat at York for John Gosden and has the size to make a hurdler. He looks the pick of the newcomers ahead of Lysino.
Sametegal (FR) 1-2fav (11-6) Jumped well, tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear from 2 out, nudged along and stayed on strongly from last, easily, won at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gs in Nov beating Flashman (10-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Counsel (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, switched inside after next, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Moidore (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Keen early, led first, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up and ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Dont Take Me Alive (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Outback (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) With leader, under pressure 4th, every chance before 3 out, outpaced next, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 15l behind Mcvicar (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Vasco Du Ronceray (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, every chance next, 1 length down when hit last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Far West (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Mashaari (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, closed when switched right over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on, won at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Cape Tribulation (9-10) by hd, 10 ran (flat).
Lysino (GER) (8-13) 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Around The Moon (8-9) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 2f 3yo clm hvy in Oct (flat).
