tracked leaders, hit 2 out and ridden, gradually weakened last
close up, led 4 out, shaken up after omitted 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, every chance and ridden before last, kept on, always held
in rear, in touch, headway into 3rd before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, pushed along and led after 2 out, ridden run-in and stayed on well
led narrowly, headed 4 out, pushed along after omitted 3 out, led again briefly 2 out where not fluent, headed, ridden and faded before last
Wholeofthemoon was a consistent sort on the Flat who found only one too good on his hurdling debut at Wetherby but he’s yet to win a race of any description. ACHNAMARA won three times on the level up to 1m6f when trained by the Johnstons. If he translates that form to jumping, Harry Fry’s 50,000gns purchase may have too much for Mombasa, who was 2-2 in France but is conceding 12lb. However, the latter did change hands for €250,000 in July so is obviously well regarded. Aviles and Jilaijone look less talented French imports.
Mombasa (FR) (10-3) won at Auteuil 2m 1f lst hvy in Jun beating Castellet (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Achnamara 11-2 (9-11) Prominent, led over 8f out, headed over 7f out, led 4f out, quickened 2f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Pretending (9-3) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Aviles (FR) 15-8 (11-0) Led, ridden along and headed before 2 out, no extra and weakened run-in, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Trojan Horse (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Jilaijone (FR) (10-8) 3rd of 10, hd behind at Angouleme 2m 4f in Nov.
Wholeofthemoon (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Led at modest pace, not fluent 2 out, shaken up and headed approaching last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Spartan Army (11-2) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.