handy, disputed lead 2 out, soon led narrowly, shaken up and eased clear run-in, comfortably
in rear, closed up home turn, pressed leaders 2 out, every chance last, ridden run-in and stayed on one pace
tracked front pair, not fluent 4th, closed up and every chance 2 out, pushed along approaching last, ran on for 2nd on flat, no match for winner
raced keenly early in 4th, pushed along and held before final flight
led, joined 2 out, soon pushed along and headed, dropped away before last
French import Officer Of State won over 1m7f on the Flat in the autumn but this is not an easy start to his hurdling career. Jaitroplaclasse looks the stable second string behind JERIKO DU REPONET, who only had to be pushed out to land the odds here at the start of the month. Nico de Boinville’s mount can extend his unbeaten record despite the claims of Kempton scorer Secret Squirrel, who is now 3-3 under Rules, and Paradias. Rated 95 on the Flat, the latter has a future over hurdles judged on a comfortable victory at Lingfield.
Jeriko Du Reponet (FR) 4-11fav (11-4) Held up, smooth headway 2 out, led on bit run in, ran on, comfortable, won at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gs in Dec beating King William Rufus (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Paradias (GER) 2-1fav (11-0) Keen early, tracked leaders, led 4th, pushed out, comfortable, won at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Celtic Ned (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Secret Squirrel 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, led 2 out, quickened clear from last, easily, won at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Dancing In Brazil (11-0) by 5l, 10 ran.
Jaitroplaclasse (FR) 4-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 17, 18 1/2l behind Josh The Boss (11-0) at Kempton 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Officer Of State 10-3 (8-13) won at Fontainebleau 1m 7f stks gs in Oct beating Mirabad (8-13) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
