off the pace in 4th, went 3rd at 5th, closer before 12th, pushed along and hit next, lost 3rd 4 out, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased winner and clear of rest, closer before 12th, readily held after next, mistake 5 out, pushed along and tried to close before 3 out, ridden and no chance after next
led at strong pace and jumped well mostly throughout, clear with one rival, given breather before 12th, drew clear again next, mistake 13th, steadied into 2 out, soon clear again, stayed on strongly, impressive
chased clear leading pair until 5th, went 3rd again 4 out, pushed along and stayed on same pace before 3 out, no chance when mistake and stumbled last
jumped badly left, off the pace in last pair, went badly left 10th and pulled up
off the pace in last pair, tailed off 5th, went left 3 out, left remote 4th last, never a factor
Kilbeg King should be winning sooner rather than later but Hermes Allen only had to be pushed out to make a winning debut over the larger obstacles at Newbury. Tightenourbelts and Marble Sands were well beaten and Paul Nicholls’ formerly smart staying hurdler will make the unbeaten French raider IL EST FRANCAIS work hard for victory. The latter is 2-2 over fences at Auteuil, however, and should have no problems staying 3m around here. Giovinco is still showing signs of inexperience but is another novice with a bright future.
Giovinco (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased winner before 2nd until slow 13th, left 2nd 17th, hampered by loose horse and led before 3 out, hampered by loose horse and headed after 3 out, led again narrowly 2 out, headed soon after last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Stay Away Fay (11-7) at Sandown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Hermes Allen (FR) 13-8fav (11-4) Jumped well, tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, led 2 out, clear next, comfortable, won at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec beating Nickle Back (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Il Est Francais (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 6f lst hvy in Nov beating Toscana Du Berlais (10-10) by 11l, 6 ran.
Kilbeg King (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Midfield, ridden before 4 out where in touch with leader, kept on same pace 3 out, outpaced by leading pair approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 10 3/4l behind Moriko De Vassy (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Marble Sands (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 11 3/4l behind Hermes Allen (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Tightenourbelts (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, ridden and rallied run in, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 11 1/2l behind Hermes Allen (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
