soon pushed along in rear, mistake 7th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, took 3rd flat, nearest finish
held up in mid-division, track leading pair 8th to 12th, blundered and lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent in chasing group, mistake 4th, went 2nd 10th, pressed winner from 3 out, ridden and held when pecked 2 out, no impression but kept on to hold 2nd near finsih
chased leader and clear of rest, lost 2nd 10th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
stumbled first, keen hold, close up and chasing group, headway to track leaders from 12th, led approaching 3 out, in command when hit last, drew away flat
raced freely, led, driven and headed approaching 3 out, weakened rapidly before next
behind, well tailed off 4 out, stayed on under pressure from next, kept on running to press for 3rd near finish, never nearer
behind, headway and in touch when blundered 13th, ridden to chase leading pair from 3 out until weakened next
always behind, tailed off 4 out, well beaten when jumped left last 2
chased clear leading pair, mistake 7, blundered and lost 3rd next, soon tailed off, pulled up before 13th
This race can go to Martin Pipe, with Figaro du Rocher our choice, ahead of stablemates Made In France and Isard III, with Translucid and Indien Royal others to consider. Although he is set to be dropped a pound in the ratings, the selection has shown form enough at best to be competitive in what is, admittedly, a competitive affair, and the step up in trip today could bring about some further improvement. That's what we reckon, anyway, but Made In France is also stepping up in trip, so maybe you should be guided by whatever Timmy Murphy chooses to ride from the stable. Turning to the others, Isard III can probably be rated better than his latest effort, while Translucid has not done anything wrong in his two latest visits to England. With Indien Royal representing the championship-chasing team of Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh, he must also be given a chance, particularly as he is set to rise by two pounds in future ratings. However, for the selection, we will stick with Figaro du Rocher.
Isard III (FR) 11-8fav Tracked leaders, hit 10th, soon outpaced, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 4, 7l behind Vodka Bleu at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (B) gf in Sept.
Translucid (USA) 2nd of 6, 2l behind Dzino at Bremen 2m 5f lst chs sft in Mar.
Indien Royal (FR) 5-2jt-fav Keen, tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, slightly hampered 8th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (D) gs beating Roofing Spirit by 3l, 5 ran.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 11-2 Tended to jump right, led to 3rd, stayed tracking leader to approaching 2 out, rallied under pressure to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Andreas at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd.
Full House (IRE) 2-1jt-fav Held up, led approaching 6th, clear 11th, ridden 3 out, 2 lengths up when fell at the last in race won by Laskari at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (D) gf, 5 ran.
Made In France (FR) 4-1co-fav Raced freely, clear 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Dempsey at Sandown 2m nov chs (C) gs in Mar.
Laskari (FR) 10-3 Held up, headway to chase leader 5th, hard ridden when left clear last, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (D) gf beating Bobosh by 14l, 5 ran.
Neltina 16-1 With winner, and soon clear of rest, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Native Daisy at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd.
Barton Hill 3-1 Prominent, ridden 3 out, stayed on well to go 2nd last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Brooklands Lad at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd.
Six of One 4-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Up The Glen at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
