held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace
made all, ridden over 2f out, joined over 1f out, driven found extra and stayed on to assert inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased winner, ridden 3f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leading pair until driven and one pace in 4th over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, pushed along on outside and some headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 2f out
took keen hold in touch, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place, tailed off
took keen hold, held up, pushed along over 4f out, soon outpaced, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway over 3f out, 5th and one pace final 2f
took keen hold, held up tracking leaders on outside, went 2nd travelling well 2f out, poised to challenge over 1f out, founds no extra inside final furlong
held up in last trio, closer on inside and in touch halfway, weakened over 3f out
The form of this Listed bumper is usually worth following and most of these probably have a bright future. Paul Nicholls' name is in the race title and he saddles Wincanton scorer Present Man but he has plenty to find with another Wincanton winner, Fortunate George, on collateral form. Other form lines also give Emma Lavelle's charge the beating of Wishing And Hoping so he's respected but Watcombe Heights hasn't run since July last year. Barters Hill has won both starts easily and can't be ignored, however, and Chepstow scorer Duke Des Champs is held in high regard. It's interesting that Skywards Reward makes his debut in this grade and he's one to watch for future reference. This will be ALTIOR's first run since making an impressive debut at Market Rasen in May which worked out well. But fitness is unlikely to be an issue and he's preferred to stablemate Buveur D'Air, who makes his debut for the yard.
Altior (IRE) 4-6fav (10-9) Made all, clear over 2f out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May beating Double W's (10-12) by 14l, 7 ran.
Buveur D'Air (FR) (10-3) won at Nantes(FR) 1m 4f 3yo nhf sft in Oct beating Baby Lone Glory (10-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Skywards Reward (IRE) Dubawi gelding out of Russian Society.
