edgy and sweating, tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd from 3rd, every chance 2 out, ridden and found little between last 2, kept on same pace in 3rd
led, went left 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace run-in
pulled hard, tracked leader, dived at 2nd, slowed into 3rd and lost 2nd, soon behind, went badly left 5th and next, soon hung badly left and eased, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leading pair, disputing 2nd from 3rd, pushed along and challenged in 2nd 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly run-in
Time may tell that Azzerti was taking on a smart novice when second at Fontwell but we'll give a final chance to KHEZERABAD. He found stablemate Thomas Campbell too strong when favourite on his reappearance at Cheltenham but may have too much pace for these. Crystal Lad showed promise on his hurdling debut at Stratford in May but Firestorm had a poor strike rate on the Flat whereas Bamako Du Chatelet won three times at Lingfield in the spring up to 1m4f and should make a hurdler.
Azzerti (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, 2nd and edged right after last, stayed on, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Movewiththetimes (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Oct.
Crystal Lad (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
Firestorm (GER) 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 5 1/2l behind Thames Knight (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Khezerabad (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, closed 4 out, 3rd 2 out, carried left, not much room and went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Thomas Campbell (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Bamako Du Chatelet (FR) 20-1 (9-4) Behind, outpaced 2f out, never a threat, 11th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Ride The Lightning (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
