made all, quickened clear 2 out, comfortable
in rear, outpaced 3 out, never a factor
pulled hard, close up, saddle slipped badly after 1st, taken out next and pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on to 2nd flat
keen, close up, ridden and weakened 2 out
close up, ridden and outpaced 3 out
tracked winner, not fluent 5th, kept on same pace from 2 out, lost 2nd flat
towards rear, ridden and headway 2 out, never nearer
keen, close up, ridden and weakened soon after 2 out
Linger made a successful raid across the Irish Sea to score at Ludlow three weeks ago. He’s penalised but should go well again. Iconic Sky made a promising start over timber when runner-up at Fakenham but VINCENT’S FOREVER is a more interesting recruit from the Flat. A winner for John Gosden at Kempton in August, he’s related to a couple of decent hurdlers and has since joined David Pipe. He’s also rated higher on the level than Folly Bergere and recent Chelmsford winner Regal Gait. Deauville Crystal and L'emir D'art are imports from France making their hurdling debuts.
Linger (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led and jumped right 3 out, clear from next, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Lord Huntingdon (11-5) by 7l, 6 ran.
Catskill Mountains (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, on inside, 6th before 3 out, no impression and soon weakened, 6th of 11, dist behind Coeur de Lion (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Indulgent 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 2 out, at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Knight Commander 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 10th of 14, 33 3/4l behind Evening Hush (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
L'emir D'art (FR) (8-11) 10th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Scandaleux (9-1) at Compiegne 1m 2f gd in Sep.
Regal Gait (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Iballisticvin (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vincent's Forever 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader, challenged 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Aug beating Four On Eight (9-1) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Deauville Crystal (FR) (8-11) 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Impressionist (8-11) at Compiegne 1m 2f lst stks hvy in Jun.
Folly Bergere (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Raced wide, took keen hold, tracked winner, challenged and every chance from 2f out until ridden and hung left inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Kleitomachos (9-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Hepburn 25-1 (9-0) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, lost place when ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Invincible Wish (9-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Iconic Sky 6-1 (10-12) Raced wide, keen, in touch, headway 4 out, joined leader 2 out, ridden to lead bend before last, soon headed, rallied and every chance last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Fool To Cry (11-4) at Fakenham 2m fll (3) gd in Oct.
Sevilla 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, tailed off and fell last, at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
