led until before 2nd, led before 3rd, ridden after 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well
held up in 5th, pulled hard, headway to lead before 2nd, headed before 3 out, jumped left and no extra next
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner flat
prominent, pushed along 3rd, lost place before next, well beaten after, jumped badly left and mistake 2 out, went 4th flat
tracked leaders, niggled along after 4th, went 3rd 3 out, one pace and no impression next
wandered into 1st, in rear, behind from 3rd
EMERGING TALENT may not have beaten L'Ami Serge at Ascot in December but appeared to be going almost as well as that smart novice when coming down at the second-last. A clear round here should see him gain a deserved victory, though War Sound could hardly have been more impressive on his debut here last month and he also has entries at Cheltenham. Native River is useful and can be forgiven a couple of recent efforts in top company and Pithivier looked a certain future winner when chasing home Commissioned at Kempton in November. Kalane won at Southwell in October but this is a big step up.
Native River (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Prominent early, tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ordo Ab Chao (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
War Sound 11-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, travelling well after 6th, led 3 out, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Southfield Royale (11-5) by 12l, 11 ran.
Emerging Talent (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader until 3rd, tracked leading pair, closing and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by L'ami Serge (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec, 3 ran.
Pithivier (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, closed after 3 out, chased winner before next, no impression, not fluent last, eased towards finish, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Commissioned (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Kalane (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leading pair, led before 2 out, pushed clear before last, kept on strongly, eased near finish, won at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Monbeg Theatre (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Petite Fantasie 150-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, lost place and ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 7, 29l behind Padge (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan.
