tracked leaders, 2nd after 1st, led 4 out, clear between last 2, shaken up run-in, stayed on strongly, easily
always towards rear, struggling when mistake 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
led until 4 out, chased winner until 3 out, chased leaders, soon ridden, pushed along and no impression when lost 2nd 3 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before next
chased leaders until after 1st, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, behind when blundered next
towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, some late minor headway, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders when mistake 4th, 5th and well held when mistake 2 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, awkward next, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, 2nd going well 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in rear, some late minor headway, never on terms
towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Style De Garde and Royale Zanzibar had their latest outings at Strasbourg and Nancy respectively and it will be interesting to see how that form equates now both are with UK stables. The former has a penalty and may be facing a stiff task giving 6lb to stablemates Doctor Bartolo and THE BLUES MASTER. The pair clashed at Wetherby when both were making their hurdling debuts with Ian Popham’s mount coming out best when only going down by a length at Albert’s Back. The latter was in front when making a hash of the second-last, however, and eased thereafter. He could come out on top with a clear round today and give Alan King a third win in this in seven years.
Style De Garde (FR) (11-0) won at Strasbourg 2m 1f gd in Oct beating Solarina (10-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Cloud Hopper (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd place, lost place before 5th, soon in rear and struggling, last of 8, dist behind Jukebox Jive (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
Doctor Bartolo (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Hampered 1st, held up off the pace in 6th, headway approaching 3 out, hung left from next, went 2nd before last, upsides and mistake last, every chance until no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Albert's Back (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Born Legend (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
He's A Toff (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 5th, soon struggling, tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Leoro (IRE) 5-2fav (8-7) 6th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Baby Love (9-4) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
Lord County (FR) (10-7) 5th of 2, shd behind Boy Burg (10-12) at Lyon-Parilly 2m 1f gs in Oct.
Marettimo (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, led before 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) hvy in Dec.
Royale Zanzibar (FR) (10-13) 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sous Le Soleil (10-0) at Nancy 2m 1f gd in Jul.
The Blues Master (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, closer 4 out, led narrowly soon after 3 out, headed and blundered 2 out, weakened, not recover, 7th of 11, 29 3/4l behind Albert's Back (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Titan 33-1 (10-12) With leader, led 2nd, edged left on bend before 4th, headed and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
So Hoity Toity 100-1 (10-10) In rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Hillcrest Fire (10-10) at Leicester 2m fll (3) gs in Nov.
