tracked leading trio, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, driven and no impression between last two, lost poor 4th at the last, weakened flat
held up in 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
raced keenly, led, joined 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd before next, blundered and weakened 2 out
chased leader, challenged going well 3 out, led soon after, headed between last two, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
held up in 6th, smooth headway on inside approaching 3 out, travelling well in close 3rd when hit 2 out, led between last two, clear when flattened last, eased in closing stages
held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on approaching 2 out, driven between last two, modest 4th at the last until weakened run-in
held up in last pair, struggling when mistake 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th run-in
tracked leading pair, pushed along before 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, every chance 2 out, ridden in 3rd and one pace between last two
Le Mercurey won twice at Auteuil last year and could be anything but he has his first start for Paul Nicholls under top weight after 12 months on the sidelines. L'Ami Serge, another French import, is still chasing a first victory after six attempts and also makes his debut for a new yard while Astre De La Cour races for the first time since taking a heavy fall in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March. DANEKING, one of two Willie Mullins entries in this, was impressive when stepping out of maiden company to land a Grade B handicap at Fairyhouse in April. He should be capable of stepping up again this winter so gets the nod ahead of stablemate Wicklow Brave.
Le Mercurey (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 3yo hdl sft in Nov '13 beating Bebe Star (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Wicklow Brave 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden in 3rd after 4 out, soon no impression, dropped to moderate 5th next, 5th of 7, 44l behind Little King Robin (10-12) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Oct.
Daneking 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge travelling well 2 out, soon narrow lead, ridden and asserted before last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl in Apr beating Darwins Fox (11-1) by 3l, 17 ran.
Kilcooley (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Led, narrowly headed after 2nd, led again 4th, headed 2 out, weakened between last two, 7th of 11, 17l behind Sign Of A Victory (10-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
L'Ami Serge (IRE) (10-7) 2nd of 20, hd behind News Reel (9-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f 4yo hcp hdl sft in Mar.
Astre De La Cour (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, fell 2nd, in a race won by Hawk High (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcap hdle Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Minellaforleisure (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Raced wide, held up in 4th, not fluent 5th, headway to chase winner before 3 out, never on terms and well held last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 4, 16l behind The Liquidator (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov '13.
Violet Dancer 12-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling when mistake 2 out, 9th of 11, 19l behind Sign Of A Victory (10-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
