settled in second until taking lead 4th, shaken up after 2 out and went clear, easily
led, headed 4th, dropped to third after 3 out, mistake last, caught for third on line
third early before dropping to fourth at 3rd, pushed along on run to 2 out, made little impression on leaders but ran on after last and snatched third close home
held up in rear, ridden and began to lose touch approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
restrained in rear early but improved into third after jumping 3rd, went second before 2 out but awkward over it, kept on one pace but no match for easy winner
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The three-year-old NAIZAGAI has taken well to hurdles. He was placed on soft and heavy ground on the Flat and has a 14lb weight-for-age allowance on his side at this time of year. Ascot winner Fifty Ball is 7lb higher here but can’t discounted as his conditional rider claims all of that back. Chasamax has been knocking on the door and Cogital placed in a higher grade last time at Kempton while Frenchy Du Large may be improving and his proven stamina could be an asset on today’s going.
Fifty Ball (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Held up rear of mid-division, closed on inside before 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, pressed flat, held on well, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Straw Fan Jack (11-11) by hd, 11 ran.
Chasamax (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, chased leader, led and not fluent last, headed flat, lost 2nd towards close home, 3rd of 17, 1/4l behind Lively Citizen (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Frenchy Du Large (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3 out, kept on from last, up for 2nd final strides, no match for winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Paddys Motorbike (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Coastal Drift 6-1 (11-11) Raced widest, mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 7th, dived at 3 out, pushed along and outpaced soon after, weakened before enxt, 7th of 9, 36 1/2l behind Ostuni (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Naizagai 7-2 (11-4) Started behind, mid-division by 3rd, closed 4 out, 3rd and held when left 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Talking About You (10-11) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Cogital 14-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up tracking leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied between last 2, hit last, went modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 10 3/4l behind Thahab Ifraj (10-3) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Perfect City (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Prominent, weakened and dropped through field before 3 out, soon tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Robinshill (12-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Zero To Hero (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 9th of 11, 30l behind Une De La Seniere (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
French Kiss (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Mistake 2nd, always towards rear, no chance when went badly left 2 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Chantry House (11-8) at Newbury 2m (3) gd in Feb.
