held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader and keen, led 2 out, driven out
held up towards rear, early reminders, behind when pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, one pace from next
held up, tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
led, headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, kept on from 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, kept on to go 2nd flat
held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
We will nominate COIN OF THE REALM to win this maiden hurdle; the list of dangers is headed by Rileyev and Serious Choice. The selection is having only his third run over hurdles, but he has gone close previously and he arrives here fit from a recent spin on the flat. Rileyev looks the main danger as this 4-year-old from the Venetia Williams yard went close in this sphere back in July. He remains unexposed but he has not been out since the summer and he may be sharper for this outing. Serious Choice was a fair sort on the flat and he has to be considered on his debut over hurdles. Phillip Hobbs is in decent form and a market move could be significant. Oliver Sherwood is another trainer going well at present so his French recruit Champtho is also worth noting in the market on his British debut. However, the selection goes the way of Coin Of The Realm.
Celtic Charlie (FR) 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, 11th of 14, 13l behind Little Sark (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Oct (flat).
Champtho (FR) Lesotho gelding out of Champagnepourlolo.
Clarby Express (IRE) 6-4 (12-0) (tt) ap; led app 2 out; drew clr last, won at Lower Machen 3m ptp gf in May beating Shalati Princess (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Geoffdaw 25-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, chased leader after 1st until 5th, every chance 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 11, 23l behind Whenever (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Hannicean 18-1 (9-1) Dwelt, slowly into stride, in rear, never near leaders, 10th of 15, 24l behind Grandad Bill (8-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep (flat).
Regional Counsel 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next, 11th of 13, well behind Sonowyouno (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rileyev (FR) 4-1 (10-11) With leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed when hit last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Shiwawa (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Serious Choice (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Pushed along halfway, always behind, last of 11, 16l behind Action Impact (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul (flat).
Wulimaster (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 10l behind Dimashq (9-5) at Catterick 1m 4f clm stks (6) gs in Jul (flat).
Dakiyah (IRE) 10-3 (9-5) Tracked winner to 10f out, stayed 3rd, driven along and one pace when hampered on rail inside final 2f, weakened soon after, last of 6, 8l behind Callisto Moon (9-1) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul (flat).
Ice Bellini 8-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased when beaten over 1f out, last of 5, 30l behind Harlequinn Danseur (7-13) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (5) fm in May (flat).
Coin of The Realm (IRE) 2-1 (10-8) Held up and keen, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden last and chasing winner and not fluent again and one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Thumbs Up (11-1) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
