chased winner, ridden before 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened, 4th and beaten when hit last
close 4th, went 3rd and mistake 3 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd and weakened before last
always behind, ridden 4th, struggling next, tailed off
in touch in 5th, pushed along and headway approaching 3 out, disputing modest 2nd and one pace 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance when pecked last
took keen hold, always behind, struggling before 3 out, tailed off
made all, came clear from 3 out, forged further clear flat, easily
hit 1st, chased leading pair until weakened before 3 out, tailed off in 6th when blundered last
always behind, last and struggling 4 out, tailed off
hit 1st, always behind, struggling before 3 out, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
Twice a winner on the Flat in France in the Aga Khan's colours, connections paid 200,000 euros for RANJAAN during the summer. It'll be a surprise if he doesn't prove good enough to score over timber at the first time of asking for Paul Nicholls and he gets the nod. Urbain De Sivola put an inauspicious debut at Market Rasen behind him when finishing a solid third at Chepstow last month and the runner-up has since boosted the form with a win. He's preferred to recent Sandown winner Dark And Dangerous, but Ardlui is interesting as he wasn't beaten far in decent Flat handicaps on the turf this autumn and makes more appeal than fellow hurdling debutants Ya Hafed and Peira.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, disputed lead at steady pace, went left 1st, outright leader before 3rd, joined 2 out, ridden and in command before last, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft beating Volcan Surprise (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ardlui (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) In touch, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Lexington Bay (7-11) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sep (flat).
Frederick William 25-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, pushed along before 6th, weakened soon after, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Colebrooke (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Ranjaan (FR) 9-2 (8-13) 2nd of 6, 1l behind King Of Arnor (8-13) at Compiegne(FR) 1m 6f 3yo stk sft in Jun (flat).
Sporting Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Went right start, soon in touch in mid-division, headway 8f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Asker (10-7) at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) gd in Oct.
Urbain De Sivola (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Narrow lead until carried wide on bend and narrowly headed after 1st, led again before next, hit 4th, pushed along before last, strongly pressed when blundered lost hind legs and headed last, dropped to 3rd, not pushed, unable to recover, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Jackies Solitaire (10-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Ya Hafed 4-6fav (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, caught post, 2nd of 3, hd behind Zain Al Boldan (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr (flat).
Zouti (FR) Kahyasi gelding out of Reine De Sabot.
Peira 14-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Carinya (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gd in Oct (flat).
