close up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, blundered next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, upsides winner from 2 out, stayed challenging and every chance, held final 50 yards
chased leaders, hit 4 out and 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, challenged and hit 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, lost place 4th, pulled up after next
held up, some headway from 3 out, 5th 2 out, no extra
held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and found nil, weakened flat
chased leader until weakened quickly soon after 3 out, pulled up approaching next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, blundered badly next, stayed on well flat, gaining on leading pair near finish
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, took slight lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, hard driven flat, in lead final 50 yards
raced wide, chased leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out
always in rear, struggling after 4 out
Poquelin is taken to defy top weight here, with Kings Revenge and Kanad looking the principal dangers in a very competitive handicap hurdle. Kanad has won his last three starts, including a lucrative success at Ascot last time. He is seven pounds higher here but can still give a good account. Kings Revenge is a consistent and genuine type, and has a good attitude, despite only scoring twice last season. He was made favourite on his re-appearance in a good sandown handicap hurdle, and lost little in defeat, finishing a close second. he still looks well treated and can hit the frame again. Poquelin is held in some regard by his trainer Paul Nicholls, and he too lost little in defeat when just outpaced by Kings Quay at Wincanton. That was a very promising seasonal debut, and Poquelin can justify his trainer's opinion here.
Poquelin (FR) 13-8fav (11-10) Led until hit 5th, ridden and led again approaching last, hard ridden and headed flat, kept on, 3rd of 10, nk behind Kings Quay (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
French Saulaie (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Always in rear, 13th of 19, 48l behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on gamely, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd beating Moon Over Miami (11-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pevensey (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
King's Revenge 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, chased winner last, driven to challenge flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Wingman (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Glinton 14-1 (11-2) Led and keen, headed 11th, pecked 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 23l behind Money Order (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 37l behind Don't Push It (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 20-1 (10-1) Mistake 1st, chased leaders, led 4th to 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 19, 40l behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Peacock (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, smooth headway to join leaders 2 out, led between last 2, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 21, 3l behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
I'm So Lucky 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Kings Quay (10-2) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr, 22 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Missis Potts (10-13) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Mon Michel (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 9th of 20, 20l behind Kia Kaha (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Cape Greko 12-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, steady headway when hit 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind Platin Grounds (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Signs of Love (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, in command last, driven clear flat, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Mon Michel (10-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Kanad 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Nov beating Platin Grounds (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
French Opera 5-4fav (11-6) Chased winner, led narrowly 4th, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed before last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Deep Purple (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst nov hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Ingratitude (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Mistake 4 out, always in rear, tailed off, 14th of 19, well behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Kickahead (USA) 10-3 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up and behind, headway when not much room 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bureaucrat (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Nov.
