prominent, ridden to chase leaders 6th, led well before 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish
held up rear, progressed to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and hit final 2, stayed on one pace
led to 2nd, stayed tracking leader, ridden after 6th, soon lost place and behind
in touch, led after 4th, headed well before 2 out, mistake 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
held up, pushed along when fell 4th
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression afterwards
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, rallied from 2 out, stayed on well
led 2nd, hit and headed after 4th, still in touch until weakened rapidly before 2 out
held up, chased leaders 6th, effort 2 out, not much room when hit last, kept on
Detroit City put a disappointing effort at Warwick behind him when landing a big field novice event at Newbury last month and has every chance to follow up but preference is for Royals Darling, who gets the vote ahead of Kalmini. The last mentioned had ability on the flat and has won both his starts over hurdles so has to be respected but this looks tougher. Francois Doumen's Ouste has won in France and has more experience than any of his rivals of hurdling but probably needs to improve to land this, while Brads House may need more time. Course and distance winner Quasimodo was well held at Fontwell last time and is hard to recommend on that evidence, while Cave of The Giant has been found wanting in all of his starts so far and there is no reason why that should change today. Nicky Henderson's Royals Darling ran promisingly when chasing home Detroit City on his debut at Newbury and on the revised terms he looks worth a bet to go one better.
Detroit City (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3rd, led 2 out, driven out, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Royals Darling (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 24 ran.
Ouste (FR) (10-1) Held up, smooth headway to lead last, stayed on well, won at Enghien 2m 1f hdl in Dec beating Lanson (9-11) by 5l, 15 ran.
Quasimodo (GB) 11-4 (11-5) Led until 4th, with leader until weakened quickly after 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Blazing Bailey (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Royals Darling (GER) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra near finish, 2nd of 24, 1 1/2l behind Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Kalmini (USA) 4-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 3rd, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, soon headed, rallied to lead again close home, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) gd in Jan beating Opera Mundi (10-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Brads House (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened and jumped right last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Onnix (10-10) at Lingfield 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced after 6th, stayed on again after 3 out, 4th of 13, 24l behind Blazing Bailey (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 10-11fav (10-1) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed briefly after 3 out, driven clear from last, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Alexander Sapphire (10-9) by 8l, 11 ran.
Linnet (GER) 5-1 (10-5) Hit 1st, mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 19l behind Gidam Gidam (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Hereditary 33-1 (11-2) Behind, stayed on between last 2, never dangerous, 6th of 13, well behind Dear Villez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
