mid-division, jumped left 1st, headway 3 out, challenged last, soon ridden, kept on towards finish
held up in touch, headway 3 out to chase leaders, led 2 out, soon hard pressed, held on well towards finish
tracked leader, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
led, headed before 5th, chased leaders, one pace from 2 out
always towards rear, quickly pulled up 5 out
tracked leaders, led before 5th, headed 2 out, every chance last, no extra towards finish
behind, effort after 3 out, never dangerous
always towards rear
prominent, ridden after last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out`
Nonrunner
Amour de Nuit is a fascinating runner here for the Nicholls team. He was a progressive stayer on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and was last seen running in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp. He could outclass these if taking an instant liking to hurdles but this is much stronger than the first division. Buckle Street was probably flattered by his proximity to Dino Velvet at Sandown but Cigarisi, who is out of an Oscar mare, should thrive over hurdles and Ballyarthur points winner Ramses De Teillee is worth a market check. ASUM was very well backed on his hurdles bow at Warwick but made an early mistake and was too keen thereafter. That will have taught him plenty and he could be the value in this. Mizen Master was third at Roscommon in August but has changed stables since while Seven Nation Army has had plenty of chances.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) (9-2) 10th of 12, 30 1/4l behind Quest For More (9-2) at Chantilly 2m 4f Grp 1 stks gd in Oct.
Asum 6-4fav (10-12) Held up rear of mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Midnight Maestro (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Cigarisi (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out until over 1f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind King Of Realms (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Fearsome Fred 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 32 3/4l behind Epic Warrior (11-0) at Southwell 3m mdn (4) gs in Sep.
Magic River (IRE) 2-1 (12-1) Made all, jnd briefly apr last, good jmp & ko best run in, won at Stradbally 3m mdn fm in May beating Baily Smile (12-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Major Franko 50-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, ridden before 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Ramses De Teillee (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Ww mid div, 8th 1/2way, prog in 5th 3out, 2nd 2out, ld 2out, 4l adv when mstk last, sow, easily, won at Ballyarthur 3m mdn sft in Apr beating Rock My Style (11-10) by 6l, 12 ran.
Sunday Royal (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went right 1st, 3rd edging right before 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 13, 12l behind London Prize (10-12) at Leicester 2m (4) gd in Dec.
The Kid 66-1 (11-0) In rear, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Keepin Time 7-2 (10-12) Held up, towards rear, headway 9f out, shaken up 4f out, soon beaten, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Petticoat Tails (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Buckle Street 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair until jumped slowly 4th, chased leaders, hit 3 out, pushed along before hit next, ridden and went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Dino Velvet (11-0) at Sandown 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Mizen Master (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, 10th after 5th, disputed 6th before straight, soon closed, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Auld Brig (10-12) at Roscommon 2m mdn Yielding in Aug.
British Embassy (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Very free to post, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Chester Street (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Seven Nation Army (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led and disputed, pushed along before 2 out, every chance when went right last, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Misterton (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
