raced keenly, led, not fluent 5th or 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten
chased leader, not fluent 3 out, led before 2 out, clear last, comfortably
jumped left and not that fluent, in rear, closed after 3rd, reminders after 5th, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, last before 4th, soon tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, slow and lost place 4th, soon well behind, well tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
Admiralty House took his time to settle at Kempton on his hurdling bow though still returned a clear winner. But today’s penalty leaves him looking vulnerable to the re-opposing runner-up AGE OF SAIL, who made a mess of the last at Kempton and is fitted with a visor for this. Fils De Roi is difficult to assess on his victory in a claiming hurdle at Auteuil as he debuts for new connections while Midnight Train has also switched yards having won twice on the Flat, though is preferred to Briar Bank.
Admiralty House 7-2 (11-0) In rear, rapid headway to dispute lead after 4th, led 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed approaching 2 out, every chance last, kept on well flat, won going away, won at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct beating Age Of Sail (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Fils De Roi (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Front rank, mistakes 4th and 5th, good headway to lead 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Sep beating French Exit (10-5) by 15l, 12 ran.
Age Of Sail 10-11fav (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, every chance last when not fluent, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Admiralty House (11-0) at Kempton 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Briar Bank 66-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in midfield, pushed along after 3 out and quickly weakened , made no impression from 2 out, 4th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Mr Freedom (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Midnight Train 9-4fav (9-9) Held up in last pair, headway when not clear run and switched both ways over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Curley Rose (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
