pulled hard in mid-division, weakened before 3 out
led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3rd, rallied 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, struggling 5th, soon beaten
always prominent, led on bit soon after 3 out, clear before last, very impressive
soon in touch, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, mistake last, lost 2nd flat, no extra
behind, jumped slowly, soon detatched, tailed off
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders before 3 out, hard ridden to challenge next, stayed on to take 2nd after last, no chance with winner
Kazzene may have been a slightly fortunate winner on his hurdling debut at Sandown as A Media Luz looked to have put the race to bed when falling two out. His jumping was a little sticky that day and, though that will improve with experience, the four-year-old may struggle to beat SPRINTER SACRE on these terms. Winner of a couple of decent bumpers last season, the Network gelding made Frascati Park pull out all the stops on his first start over timber at Ascot and the third, beaten eight lengths, won very easily at the same track next time. Rebecca Curtis saddles bumper winners Fishoutofwater and The Merry Giant but both disappointed on their first run over hurdles.
Fishoutofwater (IRE) 4-9fav (11-5) Held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 3rd, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure 2 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 23l behind King Of Dubai (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Journeyman (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Carlicue (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Sanctuary 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear and keen, mistake 1st, jumped slow 3rd, tailed off from 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Bear's Affair (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Special Cuvee 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, modest 6th under pressure before 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 14, 20l behind Pateese (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 6-5fav (10-12) Keen in touch, went 2nd going well 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Frascati Park (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Kazzene (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway on outside after 3 out, soon driven, challenged when not fluent last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Kuilsriver (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lady From Ige (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind Shammick Boy (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sorcillera 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, eased after next, last of 16, 50l behind Pilgreen (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Merry Giant (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon driven and beaten, 13th of 15, well behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
