in rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed run-in, no extra
towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on to take 2nd and held towards finish
close up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, held on well towards finish
always towards rear
in rear, pushed along and headway before 3 out, soon weakened
led to 4 out, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
Flying Tiger travelled strongly for a long way in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last month and was then third in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. That’s smart form to be bringing into a handicap but AMOUR DE NUIT continues to run well and has won under Bryony Frost, who claims 5lb. Paul Nicholls’ runner would probably finished closer last time at Newbury had he not hit the last and looks a reformed character. Minellaforleisure might need this but William Of Orange has been staging something of a revival and could reverse recent course and distance running with the mare Irish Roe. Star Foot has already won three times last season so is preferred to Percy Street, Always Resolute and Mohaayed.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In rear and in touch, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Took keen hold, disputing 2nd until outright 2nd 3 out until next, chased leaders, no extra run-in, 5th of 7, 3 1/4l behind High Bridge (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Mohaayed 9-1 (10-0) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Elgin (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Always Resolute 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders in 4th place, pushed along over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Gallifrey (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Irish Roe (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway on inside 3 out, led 2 out, clear briefly last, stayed on, asserted and going away again towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating William Of Orange (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked clear leading pair, lost place slightly after 4th, rallied approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Eddiemaurice (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Star Foot (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, soon in touch, ridden after 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Baby Jake (12-3) by nk, 7 ran.
William Of Orange 9-2 (11-1) Led until after 1st, stayed prominent, ridden after 5th, mistake 2 out, soon hung left, kept finding for pressure and went 2nd flat, threatened winner briefly, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Irish Roe (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Percy Street 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased winner when hampered and carried left by loose horse approaching last, soon lost place, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Bobble Emerald (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
