tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened soon after
mid-division, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 2 out, led and jumped badly left last, kept on
prominent when stumbled and unseated rider
held up, steady headway 4th, ridden after 2 out, kept on
held up, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, tailed off when pulled up
held up, steady headway 4th, ridden 2 out, weakened on long run approaching last
led, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, hampered
held up, ridden after 2 out, stayed on towards last
Alan King has an impressive strike rate with his hurdlers at this venue and Haldibari looks capable of providing the in-form trainer with another success which can come at the main expense of Chapoturgeon and Souriceau. The son of Kahyasi failed to win in three starts on the Flat for Andre Fabre but made an entirely satisfactory hurdling debut when chasing home Light Yield at Fontwell. Cavalry Twill and Souriceau were the next two home that day but were thirteen lengths and sixteen lengths adrift respectively so they clearly have plenty to find. Light Yield went on to take third behind Paul Nicholls's leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Celestial Halo at Newbury which should give the Ditcheat handler an idea of whether Chapoturgeon has what it takes to land this heat. He failed to justify market support on his British debut but it would be no surprise to see him leave that form behind in time and he appeals as the likeliest danger to the selection, Haldibari.
Cavalry Twill (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, beaten when left 3rd last, 3rd of 14, 16l behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Cavendish 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, soon in rear, behind from 5th, 12th of 14, well behind Chance du Roy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Pecked 1st, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, hampered and lost place approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Soliya (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Flexible Friend (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, 7th and ridden before next, no impression, 8th of 15, 25l behind Prospectorous (10-12) at Tipperary 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Haldibari (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Jocheski (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Doubly Guest (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Kimpton Carer 50-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, 9th of 12, 47l behind Peredur (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Kings Story (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Dwelt, held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 25l behind Western Point (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug (Flat).
Shrewd Dude 9-4 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, led well over 1f out, head just over 1f out, weakening when edged right final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Global Traffic (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol (Flat).
Souriceau (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, ridden and headway after 2 out, held when left 4th last, 4th of 14, 19l behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Tobougg Welcome (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 22l behind Sweetheart (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Trump Call (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, effort 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 35l behind Mamlook (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
La Cortezana 100-1 (10-2) Hit 1st, mid-division until weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, 47l behind Light Yield (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Bali Belony 66-1 (8-4) Tracked leader 3f, ridden 3f out, gradually weakened from over 2f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Fresh Mint (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
