took keen hold, held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling before 2 out, never involved
tracked leader, tracked winner from 2nd until after 3rd, tracked leaders, pushed along and 2nd again 2 out,soon driven and one pace, no chance with winner
tracked leader until 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
jumped well, led 2nd, made rest, came clear from 2 out, easily
tracked leaders, hit 4th, 2nd after 3 out, hung right and lost 2nd 2 out, continued to hang right, ridden and weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway tracking leaders after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, well held when mistake last
always in rear, pushed along and struggling after 5th, tailed off
COUP DE PINCEAU made an impressive bumper debut at Ludlow in the spring and though he had to work harder on his reappearance at Ascot he won with a bit in hand and his pedigree is all about jumping so he looks a very smart prospect for Paul Nicholls. Lough Derg Spirit landed a point-to-point at Athlacca in May but may find this on the sharp side as he makes his debut under Rules so his stable companion Silverhow, a close relative of the exciting Altior, looks the main threat as he looks the type to improve greatly from his two bumper runs. Zipple Back never really got competitive when runner-up to the odds-on Ozzie The Oscar at Wetherby but stayed on nicely and will have come on a bundle for the experience. Philip Hobbs trains that winner and the in-form handler will expect Action Replay to have benefited from his opening run at Market Rasen
Action Replay (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, effort next, never able to challenge, 5th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Southport (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Coup De Pinceau (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ascot 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Present Destiny (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Give Him Time 16-1 (10-12) Tracking leader when hampered 1st, badly hampered by loose horse and unseated rider next, at Plumpton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Chsd ldrs, mstk 4th, 4th 6out, prog 3out, chall 2out sn ld, gng best with sl adv last, driven out flat, won at Athlacca 3m mdn gd in May beating Minella Warrior (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Silverhow (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced 5f out, stayed on from 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, unable to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
Zipple Back (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mistake 1st, mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take 2nd final stride, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Ozzie The Oscar (11-8) at Wetherby 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Bisoubisou 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, on inside, lost place 8f out, no impression final 3f, 7th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Dont Tell Val (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gs in Oct.
