prominent, led 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division until weakened 3 out
took keen hold, held up, headway after 4th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
led until 5th, weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, towards rear, weakened after 3 out
in touch until 5th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, not pace of winner
towards rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
held up, headway 6th, led approaching last, quickened clear, readily
This appears to be a good opening for Predateur to get off the mark, he may have the most to fear from South O' The Border and Cortinas. That said, Bon Viveur was capable on the Flat and can be placed to good effect as he gains in experience over timber. Cortinas ran a race stacked full of promise on his British debut at Huntingdon last November and it would come as no surprise to see the German-bred gelding post an improved display. He was a soft-ground winner on the Flat in his homeland and can be expected to cope with the ground. A bold bid looks assured. South O' The Border was a good servant during his time with Terry Mills, and seems to have carried on where he left off now that he has switched codes. The five-year-old showed great tenacity to get off the mark over c&d last month and will be a tough customer for the selection to deal with. However, the concession of 17lb is a mammoth task at this stage of their development and Predateur, who showed he knows plenty about what is required of him when he finished third in a hot race at Wincanton last time out, has too solid a chance to ignore on these terms.
South O'The Border 7-2 (11-3) Always prominent, led 5th until after 3 out, switched left approaching last, rallied flat, led close home, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Forthright (11-6) by 1l, 14 ran.
Beths Choice 150-1 (10-7) Mid-division jumping slowly, weakening when 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Cortinas (GER) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and led next, headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 18, 5l behind Buster Hyvonen (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Kingsholm 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 16th of 21, well behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bon Viveur 5-1 (10-7) Led until 6th, stayed prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten when blundered last, 4th of 12, 18l behind Oslot (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Gracechurch (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, close 3rd and going well when fell 3 out in race won by Raslan (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Piano Player (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cloud Atlas (9-3) at Kempton 1m app hcp (5) pol in Aug (Flat).
Predateur (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased winner 4th, 2nd and held when blundered last, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
