in rear, in touch, went 4th before 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden into 2nd run-in, stayed on strongly, not reach winner
chased leaders, lost action and pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders, pushed along into 2nd home turn, mistake and stumbled on landing 2 out, no further impression and lost 2nd run-in
prominent, led approaching 3 out, shaken up before 2 out, ridden and forged away before last, stayed on and did enough run-in
in rear, in touch, pushed along 2 out, plugged on, never involved
led, headed approaching 3 out, pushed along home turn, gradually faded
Unexpected Party has only raced over 2m over fences once before, finishing well beaten in this last year. JPR One was receiving 15lb when beating ICEO at Newton Abbot in October but was in front when unseating his rider at the last at Cheltenham subsequently in a race in which Petit Tonnerre eventually finished second. However, on today’s terms, Paul Nicholls’ novice has a chance of revenge and his yard has won this six times in the last 20 years. Colonel Harry had a nice introduction to chasing at Chepstow and remains unexposed but Le Patron may find this company too hot.
Colonel Harry (IRE) 6-4 (11-3) Keen tracked leader, led 2nd, headed next, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, led again 2 out, ran on, eased towards finish, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Out Of Office (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 3 ran.
Iceo (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no extra, weakened after 2 out, last of 3, 13l behind JPR One (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
JPR One (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Led and mostly jumped well, 5 lengths ahead and going strongly when stumbled on landing and unseated rider last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Le Patron (FR) 11-2 (10-12) With leader, led 3rd, mistake and headed 5th, led next, not fluent 14th, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Blow Your Wad (11-10) by 10l, 4 ran.
Petit Tonnerre (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, outpaced when lost 3rd before 3 out, regained 3rd before next, left in 3 lengths 2nd at the last, ridden hung left and stayed on run-in, weakened final 110 yards, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Homme Public (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Unexpected Party (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 17 1/2l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
