tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division until weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when blundered 2 out
took keen hold early, hit 2nd, blundered last, always towards rear
took keen hold, mid-division until weakened after 5th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner
held up towards rear, hit 5th, headway next, hit 2 out, weakened
mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next
made all, in command from 3 out, impressive
took keen hold tracking winner, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, mistake last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
In the opening race, Pauillac is preferred ahead of Paktolos and Marodima. The betting market might prove to be informative here in an interesting opener, and there is no doubt that the Alan King-trained French import Paktolos, who won at Longchamp over a mile in September, and the David Pipe-trained Pauillac, who was a never-nearer third at Auteuil last time out, hold interesting credentials. We will side with the latter. Airbound, a 66-rated 12 furlong winner on the Flat, has to be of some interest for trainer Harry Dunlop, while the J P McManus-owned Country Escape, a Flat winner at up to 9 furlongs on Turf and the all-weather, and Alan King's King's Revenge, who won over a mile at Hamilton in September, are others to have a look at. Gouranga showed promise on the Flat over middle-distances, and Marodima has already shown a decent level of form and is respected, as is the Philip Hobbs-trained Oldrik, who showed promise in a light Flat career in Germany. Finally, Capistrano showed plenty of promise on the Flat before his form tailed off and he did not show too much on his hurdling debut last time out. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Pauillac.
Marodima (FR) 11-8 (11-4) Took keen hold, led, mistake and headed 5th, led again 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Paradi (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Airbound (USA) 20-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and losing place on inside when badly hampered 4f out, last of 13, 42l behind Lisathedaddy (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Bold Pioneer (USA) 50-1 (9-0) Always behind, 13th of 15, 20l behind Bella Fiorella (8-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun (Flat).
Capistrano 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, ridden next, never on terms, 7th of 10, well behind Tritonix (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Country Escape 13-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, edged right and led inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Alpine Reel (8-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran (Flat).
Intersky Music (USA) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, every chance when fell 3 out in race won by Pocket Too (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Kick And Prance 3-1 (10-12) Soon with leader, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression when left clear 2nd at the last, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Mister Benedictine (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Kinetic Power (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven along 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 23l behind Mystic Storm (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May (Flat).
King's Revenge 16-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 17, 7l behind Kinsya (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Oct (Flat).
Oldrik (GER) 11-2 (9-2) last of 4, 4 1/2l behind Senor Jazz (9-2) at Dortmund 1m1f hvy in Apr (Flat).
Paktolos (FR) (9-3) won at Longchamp 1m hcp gd in Sept beating Major's Love (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran (Flat).
Pauillac (FR) (10-1) In touch, kept on well from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Parpaillot (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 1f stk sft in Oct.
Stumped 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3rd, ridden when mistake 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Liberate (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gouranga 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, in rear when jumped slowly 4th and 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 9, 42l behind Risk Runner (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs.
Titus Wonder (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Held up last, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, well behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
