Doux Pretender was the better-fancied of two Nicky Henderson runners in a Newbury maiden in December but never threatened behind stablemate Pacific De Baune. He is almost certainly better than that but did finish behind today’s rival SOLOMON GREY in a bumper at Huntingdon on his UK debut. Dan Skelton’s charge has already won over hurdles and has twice run well behind the smart If The Cap Fits so may be good enough to defy his penalty. None of the others make much appeal on what they’ve shown so far with connections still trying to determine Sartene's Son’s best trip.
Solomon Grey (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase winner 2 out to last, no extra run in, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind If The Cap Fits (11-8) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Court Duty (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, weakened 3f out, last of 8, 36 1/4l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-7) at Chepstow 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
Doux Pretender (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, shaken up and steady headway approaching 3 out, hung left before next, plugged on run-in, 6th of 21, 23l behind Pacific De Baune (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Fire Ahead (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Nube Negra (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Lake Washington (FR) 66-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, led after 1st, clear next until jumped left 4th, went left 5th, soon headed and weakened, tailed off 11th 3 out, pulled up after, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Lissycasey (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until before 3 out, soon beaten, plugged on flat, 4th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Comrade Conrad (10-7) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Midnight Frensi 200-1 (11-5) Mid-division, behind before 7th, pulled up before 3 out, at Hereford 2m 6f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Sartene's Son (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 16, 30 3/4l behind Diablo De Rouhet (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Totterdown 22-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 10f out, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 14, 24 1/2l behind The Big Bite (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gs in Dec.
Am I Appropriate 7-1 (10-12) Chased leader until after 6th, lost place after next, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after, at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Belle's Spirit 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened well over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Queenohearts (10-12) at Towcester 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Gloi 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear,mistake 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, no threat, 7th of 15, 34l behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Lady Vitesse 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, mistake 3 out, plugged on from next, left modest 5th last, never on terms, 5th of 15, 30 1/4l behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Valdas Princess 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, fell last, at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Monsieur Lecoq (FR) (10-5) at Angers 2m 1f mdn sft in Dec.
