tracked leader, ridden after last, kept on same pace
led, clear before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened
in rear, raced wide from 6 out until 4 out, headway before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
held up in touch, led before and hit last, soon headed, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, led last kept on well
held up towards rear, raced wide from 6 out until 4 out, weakened from 3 out
CONNETABLE found the likes of the Triumph Hurdle and the Scottish Champion Hurdle all to much for him at the end of an otherwise pleasing first campaign over timber, so it is good to see him in calmer waters here for his reappearance. He does have joint topweight but is more than capable of proving good enough back on more suitable ground too if he has progressed as anticipated over the summer. Fellow 4-y-o El Terremoto does look dangerous though in receipt of well over a stone and has no fitness doubts as he arrives here on the back of a fluent Stratford victory last month. A case can be made for the rest in a tight little heat, with French raider Fyrmyin, in search of a four-timer, looking the most interesting.
Connetable (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Ch'tibello (11-1) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, hit 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd well before 2 out, weakened quickly, left poor 3rd at the last, 3rd of 5, 37l behind Sceau Royal (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake normal 3 out, led before omitted last, drew clear flat, ran on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Born Survivor (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Fyrmyin (FR) (11-0) won at Lyon-Parilly 2m 4f hcp gs in Oct beating Bonjour Bonsoir (10-10) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
El Terremoto (FR) 7-4jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, always travelling well, led before last, drew clear flat, easily, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Toviere (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Great Fighter 7-2 (11-1) Held up, in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, kept on, 4th of 8, 8l behind Space Ship (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
