held up in 4th place, switched left to outside to challenge 3 out, every chance next, no extra before last, weakened into 4th run-in
raced keenly in rear, reached for 5th, outpaced when mistake 7th, tailed off 4 out, never a factor
jumped well, joined 3 out, ridden between last 2, in command before last, stayed on well
chased leading pair, going well enough approaching 3 out, mistake and outpaced next, plugged on into 3rd run-in
chased winner throughout, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra and held before the last
raced wide, held up in 5th, mistake 2nd, bit closer at 7th, outpaced 4 out, mistake next, plugged on run-in, never on terms
A decent renewal and a much stiffer test for the four-year-old Fanion D'estruval, who only won a handicap at Newbury on his UK debut. AL DANCER was surprisingly turned over at Cheltenham last time but still holds Rouge Vif on that run and should have too much class for habitual front-runner Global Citizen and Grand Sancy, though the latter was thrown in at the deep end at Sandown. Editeur Du Gite will find much easier opportunities in the future.
Al Dancer (FR) 7-4fav (11-5) Mostly tracked winner, effort turning in, hard driven between last 2, ridden after last, kept on but always held flat, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Editeur Du Gite (FR) 33-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden 4 out, tailed off when pulled up next, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Global Citizen (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Chased leader, jumped left and slowly 5 out, soon rallied, every chance 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 5, 20 1/2l behind Brewin'upastorm (11-2) at Carlisle 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Grand Sancy (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, tracked leaders when switched wide before 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, stayed on into modest 3rd flat, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 6, 14 3/4l behind Esprit Du Large (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Rouge Vif (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along on long run before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on approaching last, no extra and well held in 4th flat, last of 4, 8 1/2l behind Put The Kettle On (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders going well, led 4 out, hit 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Sully D'Oc Aa (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
