keen led, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden 3 out, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance run in, ran on
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen tracked leader 2nd, led soon after 3 out, 2 lengths clear when ducked left approaching last and rider lost irons, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in rear, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, pulled up 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 5th, ridden 3 out, never on terms
Paul Nicholls has won three of the last four renewals and two of those were imports from France. VIROFLAY fits the bill as he won on the Flat in France and is a half-brother to a couple of winners over jumps. Overpriced Mixer landed a double on the Flat last year and has his second outing for Nicky Henderson. He’s rated higher on the level than both Chinese Whisperer, a winner at Wolverhampton, and Can't Stop Now with Kentucky Hardboot looking best of the rest.
Can't Stop Now (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Time Voyage (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Chinese Whisperer (FR) 28-1 (9-3) Midfield, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 11th of 13, 9 1/2l behind What An Angel (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Kentucky Hardboot (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Slightly slow to stride, in rear, ridden halfway, detached last 2f out, passed beaten horses final furlong, 7th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Blue Skyline (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Now We're Touring (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Wandered into some of the hurdles, pressed winner until 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 9, dist behind Dutch Admiral (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Overpriced Mixer 4-1 (9-4) Keen close up, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 34 3/4l behind Berrahri (9-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Viroflay (FR) (9-3) 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Waltham (9-3) at Pau 1m 2f stks pol in Jan.
Crazy Love 25-1 (8-4) Awkwardly away and raced keenly, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Union Spirit (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Little Tipsy 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, well beaten from 3 out, went remote 5th towards finish, 5th of 9, 35 3/4l behind Dutch Admiral (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Sep.