tracked leader, ridden and made headway before 3 out, kept on at 2 out, rallied after final fence, not reach winner
held up, ridden and outpaced before 8th fence, pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, made no impression
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, pulled up
prominent, ridden and headed at 3 out, rallied to lead before 2 out, kept on after final fence, won gamely
held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, made no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, weakened
Omar Maretti was 2-2 over hurdles last season and has also won twice between the flags but hasn’t raced since March. Zyon finished just over a length ahead of BOBHOPEORNOHOPE at Sandown and the pair meet on similar terms. But the latter made mistakes and also spread a plate so it would be no surprise if Kim Bailey’s charge reversed the placings here. Seven No Trumps won easily at Lingfield and that effort probably warranted a 9lb rise so he can’t be ignored but French Paradoxe may need this and Fugitives Drift was pulled up on his reappearance.
Omar Maretti (IRE) 4-6fav (11-8) Chased leader, closed from 6th, led after next, pushed along before 2 out, headed and ridden after 2 out, 2 1/2 lengths down when left in lead last, stayed on, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Mar beating Geromino (11-2) by 6l, 13 ran.
Fugitives Drift (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Jumped right, chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 7th, lost place 4 out, well behind next, soon pulled up, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Seven No Trumps (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In rear, headway after 4 out, went 4th home turn, pressed leaders 3 out, led after 2 out, ran on, not extended, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Honorary Colonel (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 13 ran.
Marajman (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Chased leaders early, not fluent 7th, weakened and lost touch after 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind The Golden Rebel (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bobhopeornohope (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 6th until not fluent and headed 8th, chased leader, in front again narrowly 11th (water), headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, ridden and well held when lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 6l behind Bothwell Bridge (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
French Paradoxe (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Not fluent 1st, always behind, 7th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Sultans Pride (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Zyon 14-1 (10-3) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along before 11th (water), struggling 4 out, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on into modest 3rd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Bothwell Bridge (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
