chased leaders, nudged along after 9th, led after 3 out, ran on well
led, not fluent 6th, headed next, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, joined leader 8th, ridden and every chance 3 out, beaten before next
always in last pair, but close enough, hit 2nd, not fluent 6th, hit 9th, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
Predateur is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish in this contest but the six-year-old is proving to be hard to win with having scored just once from 12 starts over fences for Paul Nicholls and he again disappointed when unseating his rider at the first at Worcester earlier this month so he looks best watched in a race taken to go to ARCHIE BOY, with Histoire De Moeurs rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has been in good form over fences in Ireland of late, winning his last two starts at Cork and Roscommon, and Paul Flynn's gelding looks worth backing to complete the hat-trick. Henry Daly's Beherayn showed some decent form over hurdles but has failed to reproduce a similar level of form in five starts over the larger obstacles and he looks best left out of calculations. Neither Knapp Bridge Boy nor Bold Policy appear capable of taking a hand in the finish and of more interest may be Histoire De Moeurs. Peter Bowen's mare has shown improved form of late, latterly when a close third behind Danehill Willy at Ffos Las and she has to be respected. Predateur cannot be ruled out but Archie Boy looks a safer option and he is preferred.
Archie Boy (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, left in front 4 out, soon clear, stayed on well, very easily, won at Roscommon 2m nov stks fm beating Janeylad (11-6) by 19l, 9 ran.
Knapp Bridge Boy 9-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, joined leaders 6th, hit 7th, blundered 2 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Inmate (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Predateur (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Stumbled and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Silmi (11-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov stks (4) gf, 7 ran.
Beherayn 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake and fell 6th, in a race won by Sendani (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chase (4) gf in May, 6 ran.
Bold Policy (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch after 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Martys Mission (11-0) at Stratford 2m 4f nov stks (3) gd in May, 7 ran.
Histoire De Moeurs (FR) 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders 10th, effort 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Danehill Willy (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nov stks (3) gd.
