raced wide, mid-division, headway tracking leaders 4th, lost place 7th, some headway out wide before 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression between last two, no chance with easy winner
held up in mid-division on inside, lost place slightly at 7th, rallied chasing leaders before 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
kept wide, led until 4th, remained well there in 3rd, went 2nd before 10th, led before 4 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders on inside, went 3rd and plugged on from 2 out, not pace to challenge
bad mistake and towards rear 2nd, in last pair when hit 5th and 8th, rallied chasing leaders 10th, weakened soon after
held up last, headway tracking leaders before 4 out, ridden and stayed on from next, never going pace to challenge
prominent on inside, tracked leader and mistake 2nd, led 6th until before 4 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, weakened home turn
raced wide, soon towards rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off
tracked leader, led 4th, hit 6th and headed, chased leader, chased winner approaching 4 out until next, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
West Cork has not so far translated hurdling form to fences but has been quite highly tried. Lord Baddesley also has a bit to prove over the larger obstacles but Solo followed up a win at Sandown, when Hudson De Grugy was behind, with a second at Ascot and Panic Attack will likely improve on her victory in a mares’ race at Huntingdon. Arizona Cardinal beat a subsequent winner at Bangor in October but was a shade disappointing next time at Uttoxeter. Art Approval hasn’t threatened so far and the handicapper has taken no chances with Galore Desassences but BALCO COASTAL (NAP) looks nicely treated. He started favourite at Newbury last month but was let down by his jumping and clearly found 2m too short given his best runs over hurdles last season came over this trip at Cheltenham and Aintree. Don Alvaro has won a couple of times at Wincanton already and Angus Cheleda takes off 5lb again so the bottom weight is not out of this.
Galore Desassences (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, jumped right and mistake 6th, pressed leader before 2 out, shaken up and led on run to last, soon drew clear, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Finisk River (11-7) by 12l, 6 ran.
Solo (FR) 7-4jfav (11-10) Led, reached at 5th, joined 2 out, soon headed, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Thunder Rock (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
West Cork 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in rear, mistake 2nd, detached after 4th, driven along after 4 out, shifted right 2 out, plugged on one pace, never a factor, last of 3, 16l behind Jonbon (11-4) at Warwick 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Balco Coastal (FR) 13-8fav (10-10) Tracking leaders on inside when hit 1st and stumbled, dropped to last pair, not fluent and behind at 5th, some headway when hit 7th, hit 8th and behind, hit next, no chance after but plugged on run-in, 5th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Frere D'armes (10-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Panic Attack (IRE) 11-10 (11-2) Made all, narrow advantage 2 out, soon ridden but increased lead before last, driven clear late on, readily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov beating Wynn House (11-2) by 13l, 3 ran.
Hudson De Grugy (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Led until 3rd, chased winner until 5th, 2nd again briefly and hit 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 3, 20l behind Lac De Constance (11-4) at Kempton 2m 2f (3) sft in Nov.
Lord Baddesley (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Raced keenly, held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, no chance when left modest 4th and hampered last, 4th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Red Risk (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Arizona Cardinal 3-1jfav (10-9) Led, hit 3rd, not fluent and headed 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Fern Hill (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Art Approval (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Not always fluent, held up in 3rd, winner well clear after 11th, pushed along 16th, pressing for 2nd but no chance with winner when left in 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 3, dist behind Hidden Heroics (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Don Alvaro 11-10fav (12-0) Always prominent, led going well approaching 4 out, ridden and went clear 2 out, ridden out flat, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Kakamora (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
