tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and headed well after 3 out, pecked 2 out, one pace after
held up towards rear, good headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on but no chance with winner
mid-division until weakened 6th
mid-division, headway 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ran green, but always in command, readily
went badly right 1st, chased leaders, effort after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, ridden approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch until weakened after 3 out
led until 6th, stayed prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, 4th and beaten when blundered last
This is a very competitive hurdles event with plenty of top stables represented including Phillip Hobbs who runs the debutante Bon Viveur who gets a tentative vote ahead of Oslot, Rockwithacaveman and Silverhay. Bon Viveur was rated 72 on his final flat run in September when chasing home Altilhar in a decent Sandown handicap. He will have been well schooled and if the market speaks in his favour take note. The same applies to the Paul Nichols trained Oslot who is a half-brother to several winners, notably very useful hurdler/chaser Kadount. David Pipe's Rockwithacaveman is another newcomer to keep an eye on. The best of the experienced runners could be Silverhay, a decent enough handicapper on the flat who made a very promising start to his hurdling career when third to The Grey Man over course and distance. Best of the rest could be Plume d'Oudaries, but on this occasion we will take a chance on the debutante Bon Viveur.
Dark Athlete (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) fell at the 5th in race won by Antonine (12-0) at 3m ptp gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Fredensborg (NZ) 28-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, promising headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened after next, 4th of 15, 16l behind Sizing Europe (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Jazz City 10-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden and headway 5f out, chased leaders and one pace over 1f out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Flasher (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Master Bell 28-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 11th of 14, 41l behind Private Note (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Oslot (FR) (10-3) won at Saint-Brieuc 1m 4f stk in Oct beating Okoum (10-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran (Flat).
Primed Up (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind Alasil (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 2f sll (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Rockwithacaveman (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Silverhay 9-4 (10-9) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, lost touch approaching 2 out, 3rd of 7, 12l behind The Grey Man (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Swift Half (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Behind, struggling 3 out, 6th of 13, 33l behind My Turn Now (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Trooper Lee (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, 10th of 12, 33l behind Tooting (11-0) at Ludlow 1m 6f 4yo nhf (5) gf in Jan.
Bon Viveur 11-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, no chance with winner final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Altilhar (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Vial De Kerdec (FR) (12-0) 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Glatit (12-0) at Toulouse 1m 3f stk gd in Jun (Flat).
Caliman (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 5 out, chased winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 19l behind Tritonix (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Plume d'Oudairies (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Led until after 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Warne's Way (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
