took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before three out
in touch, headway to lead 4th, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened soon after, blundered last, tailed off
in touch, headway after 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, driven to challenge before last and mistake, hard ridden and stayed on under pressure run-in
took keen hold, held up, slow jump 3rd, ridden 3 out, no chance when hit 2 out
led to 4th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven and kept on under pressure run-in
hit 1st, always behind, tailed off
prominent, hit 4th, blundered 3 out, chased winner soon after until weakened before last
mistake 2nd, always behind, tailed off when hit 3 out
hit 1st, held up, headway to moderate 5th 3 out, struggling after
An intriguing look to this juveniles' contest with HUNTERVIEW getting the verdict ahead of Puzzlemaster, Rajamand and Sang Bleu. With so many debutants over hurdles the market should provide some valuable information for us, but Hunterview was rated the best of this lot on the flat, achieving a rating of 86 after scoring over 1m 4f on soft ground at Doncaster in October. Sure to have been well prepared, his stamina looks likely to be an important factor in this and we will side with him. Rated just 1lb lower on the level is Puzzlemaster. Hughie Morrison's inmate won a heavy ground Nottingham handicap in the summer and just about stays 1m 4f on the flat. He is much-respected. Sang Bleu makes his debut for Paul Nicholls after wins in a bumper and a hurdle in France. He acts on the ground and stays beyond this, while preparation won't be an issue and he is sure to be involved. Kings Troop acts with cut on the flat, where he is rated 70, and he should just about get this trip over hurdles, while Mallorey also has conditions to suit, though whether he has the class for this is debatable. The lightly-raced Rajamand is open to plenty of improvement, acts on soft ground, and should stay this far, so given his flat rating of 80 he looks a leading contender, but preference is just for Hunterview.
Billy Smart (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left 4th, behind from next, blundered 2 out, 6th of 12, 50l behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Coeur Brule (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Held up, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching last, kept on, 4th of 8, 4l behind Singapore Reef (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Hunterview 6-1 (8-7) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct beating Hillview Boy (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran (flat).
Kings Troop 8-1 (8-13) Took keen hold in mid division, driven along over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 6l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
Lost Arca (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened 5th, blundered last, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Mallorey 33-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 14l behind Quinsman (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol (flat).
Orzare (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sandscape (8-11) at Amiens(FR) 1m 6f stk hvy in Nov (flat).
Puzzlemaster 8-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Luc Jordan (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct (flat).
Rajamand (FR) 10-3 (9-3) Raced keenly, held up in touch, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 5, 7l behind Tripitaka (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (flat).
Sir John 8-1 (10-12) Held up, always towards rear, well behind from 5th, 8th of 12, well behind Corredor Sun (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Windpfeil (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, made all, driven in command over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct beating Sparkaway (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran (flat).
Sang Bleu (FR) (10-3) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Tanerko Emery (10-3) by 2l, 20 ran.
