tracked leader until before 4th, reminder halfway, ridden to chase winner after last, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed before 6th, led 2 out, blundered last, kept on
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, led again before 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, soon outpaced and in rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
The Dutchman made a winning start over fences at Wetherby last month. But he’s penalised 5lb for that success and AUX PTITS SOINS can take advantage. A Grade 3 winner over timber, Paul Nicholls’ charge finished second at Exeter on his chasing bow and can go one better in this. Westren Warrior is a decent handicap hurdler and could also figure if taking to the larger obstacles. He’s preferred to fellow chasing newcomers Delusionofgrandeur and Road To Gold.
The Dutchman (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, mistake 2 out and last when pressed, kept on gamely run-in, just held on, won at Wetherby 1m 7f (4) gs in Nov beating Vendor (11-1) by nk, 4 ran.
Aux Ptits Soins (FR) 2-7fav (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Drumlee Sunset (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Close up, led 5th, headed 6th, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 5, 30l behind Politologue (11-2) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Road To Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led, headed after 3rd, lost place from 6 out, last of 3, dist behind Cloudy Dream (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Westren Warrior (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Kruzhlinin (10-13) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
