in rear, mistakes, reminders 9th, unseated rider 12th
held up, pulled up after 9th
held up, mistake 4 out, stayed on to take 3rd close home
held up, hampered 3rd, detached when unseated rider 10th
towards rear, jumped left 4th, ridden 13th, soon held and mistake last
tracked leader, chased winner from 4 out, no extra
tracked leaders, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, hit 10th, led approaching 4 out, jumped left 2 out, ridden out
mid-division when unseated rider 3rd
led, mistake 13th, headed next, weakening and mistakes final 4
Preference is for PAQEUT CADEAU but it's only marginal as there are a number here that we're interested in which include Regal Quote and Bali Bay. Alan King's charge made a winning debut on these shores when getting the better of Overbranch by a neck at Uttoxeter over two miles. His form in the French provinces was over distances in excess of that so it's reasonable to expect some improvement for both the run and this longer trip. The form may not be outstanding but he still appeals as being well handicapped as a result and he should be able to take higher order. Emma Lavelle has successfully pitched a few of her horses into handicap chase company this season and, as a result, Regal Quote is worthy of close consideration on his chase bow; the market usually points the way. Bali Bay is another chasing newcomer although he has won an Irish point. The handicapper has only had the opportunity to see him in action twice and he's another to note. Sebastiano has his first realistic chance over British fences and is one to keep an eye on whilst Mey Clouds, Forfeiter and The Shy Man all cross the radar too. An interesting handicap but Paquet Cadeau receives the vote.
Ford Of Wells (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, last of 11, 49l behind Pomme Tiepy (10-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hdl sft in Nov.
Roman Villa (USA) 66-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway on inside 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, last of 12, well behind Numide (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
The Shy Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, one pace when hampered 3 out, kept on, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 12l behind Palomar (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Regal Quote (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 7th, smooth headway 3 out, short lived effort before next, weakened quickly, 8th of 10, 37l behind Midas Way (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Sebastiano (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Keen hold, held up, headway to dispute moderate 2nd when blundered and weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Gauvain (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Paquet Cadeau (FR) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leader until 8th, went 2nd again 3 out, challenged 2 out, led final 100 yards, all out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Overbranch (11-12) by a nk, 5 ran.
Bali Bay (NZ) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked winner, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 12, 24l behind Hennessy (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct '07.
Dream Falcon 13-2 (11-9) Held up, pecked 9th, weakened 14th, behind when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Rosie All Over (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Mey Clouds (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Towards rear, some progress 15th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind De Soto (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Forfeiter (USA) (11-3) 2nd of 13, 3l behind Imminent Victory (10-8) at Krefeld 2m 1f hcp chs in Nov.
