tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 2nd, led on inside approaching 2 out, over 2 lengths ahead last, soon drew clear and heavily eased flat
led, not fluent 3rd, came to outside in straight before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo and weakened between last 2
took keen hold, chased leading trio, close 4th when fell 3 out
held up in 5th, slow and lost place 2nd, modest 6th when badly hampered 3 out, well beaten when went right last, tailed off
pecked 1st, chased leader until 2nd, stayed well there in 3rd, disputing 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and weakened after next
held up in 6th, ridden before 5th, weakened next, no chance when slightly hampered 3 out, tailed off
held up in 7th, last pair when hit 3 out, went 5th next, went modest 3rd between last 2
held up last, steady headway 4 out, 5th before next, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, kept on flat
GRANDOUET was trying to give 8lb to the promising Sam Winner when runner-up at Cheltenham last month and, on a line through the winner, that form appears to give him the edge over Pullyourfingerout, who was receiving weight when second to the same horse over the same C&D earlier this month. He also had Domtaline behind at Wetherby earlier so may have most to fear from Smad Place, who overturned the odds laid on Dolatulo in emphatic fashion over this C&D on his UK debut. A Media Luz pulled much too hard on her hurdling bow and is capable of better, but newcomers Knockdolian and Mark Twain may find this company too hot.
Grandouet (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon no chance with impressive winner, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 15, 15l behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Pullyourfingerout (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led to before 2nd, tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd between last 2, effort when mistake last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Sam Winner (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gs.
Domtaline (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Led to 3rd, led again 4th, headed 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 38l behind Maoi Chinn Tire (10-12) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct.
Knockdolian (IRE) 11-10fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 4f out, chased leader over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Naheell (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov (flat).
L'eminence Grise (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Raced in rear, jumped slowly 1st, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 50l behind Dolatulo (11-5) at Sandown 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Langley 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Third Intention (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Mark Twain (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Medicinal Compound (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct (flat).
A Media Luz (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Refused to settle behind leaders, led 2nd, headed between last 2, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 30l behind Sam Winner (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gs.
Smad Place (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, steady headway to chase leading pair after 4 out, taken to outside to chase leader after 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly from last, very easily, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Dolatulo (11-8) by 27l, 9 ran.
