taken to post early, took keen hold, chased clear leader, closed before 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, headed flat, kept on same pace
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, not quicken flat
raced keenly, led, clear when saddle slipped before 3rd, went badly left 4 out, went left again and headed 3 out, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, bumped 1st, slow jump 4th, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 3 out until before next, challenged last, quickened to lead flat, ridden out
held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, pushed along and struggling in 6th before 2 out, went right final 2, tailed off
held up in 5th, chased leading trio 3 out, ridden and one pace before 2 out
blundered 1st, always behind, lost touch after 4 out, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off
ALDOPICGROS won over 1m4f in the French provinces in April, after which he was acquired by the Million In Mind partnership. This looks a good opportunity for him to make a winning debut over hurdles. Duroble Man also won on the Flat and may have been a little keen on his hurdles bow at Market Rasen where he eventually finished 12 lengths behind Town Mouse having made the early running. It would be no surprise were those placings to be reversed. Ocean Applause should improve on his fifth at Ludlow while Exclusive Waters may prove the pick of the newcomers.
Town Mouse 14-1 (11-3) Almost refused to race, in rear, headway 3 out, soon chased leaders, stayed on to take 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Royal Irish Hussar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Aldopicgros (FR) (9-11) won at La Roche-Sur-Yon(FR) 1m 5f 3yo nhf in Apr beating Atuvuedenuo (9-7) by 5l, 0 ran.
Assembly 5-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged left and chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Gabrial's Gift (9-1) at Kempton 6f clm stks 0-75 (5) pol in Sep (flat).
Complexity 14-1 (10-12) In rear, led after 4th, headed after 3 out, quickly weakened, 6th of 7, well behind Harristown (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Dark Emerald (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in touch in last pair, headway on outside under pressure 2f out, soon hung left on camber, driven into 3rd over 1f out, stayed on in closing stages, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Thouwra (9-7) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep (flat).
Duroble Man 11-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, with leader, led 4th, driven and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 10, 23l behind Royal Irish Hussar (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Exclusive Waters (IRE) 5-4fav (9-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, headway and edged right 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Monzino (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Handsome Stranger (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 28l behind Tatting (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (flat).
Minister Of Mayhem 11-4fav (9-9) Held up in 5th, ridden and progress 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Overland Express (9-12) at Down Royal 1m 2f 3yo hcp gf in Jul (flat).
Ron Waverly (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway and in 4th 3 out, held in 5th when fell last, in a race won by Wooly Bully (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Sep, 9 ran.
Ocean Applause 2-1fav (10-12) Never fluent, held up in 5th, not fluent 2nd, went right next, headway and close enough on inside after 6th, pushed along in 4th when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, eased when mistake last, 5th of 7, 28l behind Ballyglasheen (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd.
