mid-division, took keen hold, closed 2nd, mistake 4th, led before big jump 2 out, quickened clear before not fluent last, very easily
chased leaders, took keen hold early, lost place before 3rd, well behind after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, some headway before 5th, weakened before 2 out, mistake last
behind, not fluent 6th, never any chance, tailed off
led, jumped left 1st, headed before 3rd, with leader, hit 6th, no chance with winner before last
held up towards rear, took keen hold, jumped left 2nd, behind 5th, pulled up before 2 out
jumped left at times, chased leader, led before 3rd, headed before 2 out where mistake, well held 3rd when mistake last
in touch in mid-division, effort after 3 out, 4th and no impression when mistake 2 out
Ithaca's Arrow made the odds-on Castelfort work hard for victory when making his hurdling debut at Sandown and the front two pulled well clear of third Royal Way. Torneo and Spiced Rum are others who found only one too good on their first attempt jumping but Insanity appeared to get outpaced when well backed at Market Rasen. SIR GINO’s Listed win at Auteuil in the spring has worked out well. He’s unlikely to fail through lack of fitness having a first start for Nicky Henderson and can defy his penalty.
Sir Gino (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 1m 7f lst hvy in Apr beating Salvator Mundi (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Insanity 5-6fav (11-0) Keen tracked leaders 2nd, switched left 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 10 3/4l behind Givemefive (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Ithaca's Arrow 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not much room 3 out, led when mistake 2 out, soon headed, led again before last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Castelfort (11-2) at Sandown 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
Nachtgeist (IRE) 11-8fav (9-2) won at Baden-Baden 1m 6f mdn stks gs in Aug beating Pante Rhei (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Royal Way (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, prominent on inside, not fluent 2nd, soon lost a little bit of ground, ridden and close up before 2 out, 3rd and no extra when jumped left last, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Castelfort (11-2) at Sandown 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
Sullivan Bay (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, dropped to 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10 1/2l behind St Vincents Garden (9-8) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f mdn gd in Jun.
Torneo (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Raced keenly pressing leader, led after 3rd, slowed badly into next, mistake and headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Latin Verse (11-0) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Spiced Rum 7-2 (10-7) Raced keenly close up, led after 3rd, hit 5th, pecked on landing 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, not fluent last and faded run-in, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Soigneux Bell (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) hvy in Dec.
Sindri 28-1 (8-11) Led, pushed along over 3f out, pressed for lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 6, 11l behind Aqwaam (10-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
