chased winner throughout, hit 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders and keen, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, lost 3rd after last
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out
made all, clear when hit 2 out, not fluent last, driven out
held up, hit 4th, outpaced approaching 3 out
always behind and keen, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, outpaced after 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, took poor 3rd after last
LATANIER should score for Venetia Williams here with Night Cru and Bugsy Boy looking like the main challengers. The pick has done very little wrong in eights starts so far and is regularly in the prize money. In his latest effort the five-year-old was only just beaten by the useful looking Grizebeck who has the potential to go on and win many more races. He seems to be improving with every run and certainly could have won that last race if not for a jumping error. On the surface the two mile trip could be a little sharp but Leciester should provide a stiff enough test to bring out his best and the going is perfect. Night Cru found himself well beaten at Sandown on his penultimate start but that was by the very good Punchestowns who has since gone on to score again. It was a much better showing last time which showed progress from first chance. A winner on the level off a mark of 89 more can be expected here. Bugsy Boy was a triple winner on the flat and he looked fairly well on his hurdles debut last time. Will probably need a further trip and has to over turn form on the selection after finishing over seven lengths back from him on that run. The form of Oliver Sherwood's yard gives Grandage a decent chance here but the pick is Latanier.
Bugsy's Boy 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, kept on approaching last, 4th of 13, 8l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Grandage 14-1 (10-12) In touch, raced keenly, not clear run on inside after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 18, 18l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Grand Article (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, raced keenly, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 35l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Latanier (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 6th, led 2 out, hit last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Night Cru 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, took 2nd after last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Zed Candy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Port Erne (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Always behind, 10th of 12, 48l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Robin des Bank (FR) 66-1 (10-5) In rear, pushed along approaching 4th, soon struggling, 15th of 18, 47l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Shield of Zeus (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 13, 26l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Lady Lorins 100-1 (9-9) Towards rear, brief effort 3 out, 11th of 18, 33l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Reasontobecheerful 100-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, no chance when blundered badly last, 10th of 18, well behind Weird Al (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Optimus (USA) 40-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 6th, effort after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 26l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-8) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, every chance after 3 out, weakened 2 out, hampered last, 10th of 16, 33l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
