led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on one pace flat
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway soon after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
took keen hold, in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader to 4th, stayed in 3rd, went 2nd again before 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 4th and well beaten when blundered last
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened after next
mistake and ridden 5th, always rear, tailed off
keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge and hit 2 out, led approaching last, pushed out flat
behind, under pressure, no impression approaching 2 out
took keen hold, always rear, struggling soon after 3 out, eased, tailed off
hit 5th, always in rear, tailed off
keen hold, tracked leader 4th to approaching 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
My Petra, Liberate and Poquelin are three against the field in a competitive opener and the narrow vote is given to Liberate. The selection was a fair sort on the flat when trained by Sir Mark Prescott and has won both starts over hurdles with plenty in hand notably when beating Zilcash last time out, he looks sure to improve again and despite top weight under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. My Petra rates the main danger as she is also unbeaten over hurdles and receives five pounds from the selection. However she was far from fluent on occasions last time and is taken on with this in mind. Poquelin is another that could go well on his latest third behind Total Victory, he is clearly thought capable of better but he looked a short runner on that occasion and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Altilhar won well on his debut and is another sure to improve but this looks tougher while Parrain is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is more exposed than most and for the winner we return to Liberate.
Liberate 3-10fav (11-5) Made all, quickened and clear approaching 2 out, ran on well from last, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Zilcash (10-12) by 12l, 12 ran.
Mister Benedictine 11-2 (10-12) Mostly jump left, held up in touch, headway 6th, chased leaders next, led 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Kick And Prance (10-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
Parrain (FR) (10-3) won at Enghien 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) in Nov beating Pommerol (10-1) by 3l, 10 ran.
Altilhar (USA) 5-4fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, soon clear, hit last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Luckylover (10-12) by 8l, 13 ran.
My Petra 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, driven and edged left run-in, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Freeze The Flame (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Addicted (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, shaken up 2 out, kept on, 4th of 12, 15l behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Doctor David 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Prince Ary (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
First Slip 25-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 30l behind Robustian (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Poquelin (FR) 7-4jt-fav (11-0) In touch and pulled hard, with leader 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Total Victory (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Stellenbosch (USA) 7-2fav (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 12l behind Brief Statement (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug (Flat).
Zariyan (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, hampered 2 out, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 40l behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft.
Famcred 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leader to over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Dancing Guest (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3yo fll hcp (4) pol in Jul (Flat).
Plume d'Oudairies (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Led until after 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Warne's Way (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
