held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, chased leaders from after 3 out, chased winner soon after 2 out, no imression before last
raced on inside, chased leaders, led narrowly after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo
keen hold, prominent until weakened well before 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, poor 7th and struggling after 3 out
tended to jump right, slow jump 6th and 3 out, headed soon after and weakened well before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake and pecked 5th, weakened soon after, tailed off
always towards rear, struggling 6th, tailed off
mid-division, poor 6th and struggling well before 2 out, weakened
mid-division, behind 6th, struggling after, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off
always rear-division, struggling 6th, tailed off
raced wide in mid-division, struggling before 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, good headway before 6th, chased leaders next, led just before 2 out, stayed on strongly
SANCTUAIRE looks to hold the key to this race as realistic opposition to Grands Crus appears to be thin on the ground; Respective Way and Robbers Bridge could be two to note in the market. The Ditcheat runner doesn't have any fancy entries at this stage of his career but he showed promise on two runs in France and it would be no surprise were he to prove capable of landing a race of this nature. The yard won this race with a juvenile last year and the allowances that he receives could give him the edge over his market rival. The Pipe runner was made favourite for his Rules debut but failed to figure there or on his second start. However, there was plenty of promise from his second to the smart Wishfull Thinking and he proved that wasn't a flash in the pan with a commanding success over two miles five. The race wasn't very strong though, the shorter trip may not be ideal and he has to give over a stone to the Nicholls runner. Robbers Bridge must have shown something at home to be made favourite on debut, Respective Way showed ability in bumpers while Coup Royale, Salpierre and Lost Glory are others to have shown a modicum of ability but this could develop into a match and Sanctuaire may be the safest option.
Grands Crus (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Held up, headway to join leader 3 out, led before next, ridden out, comfortably, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Abey M'boy (11-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
Avec Moi Ce Soir (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway and in touch after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 15, 22l behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Coup Royale (FR) 28-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened 4 out, 5th of 15, 26l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Just The Job (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Led early, tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, 10th of 12, well behind Ohio Gold (10-8) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) hvy.
Kirbys Glen (IRE) 11-2fav (11-7) Led, until jumped badly right and fell 7th, in a race won by Ilewin Tom (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in May, 13 ran.
Respective Way 15-8fav (11-0) Led 2f, in touch, led again halfway, headed over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Alverstone (10-8) at Worcester 2m NH flat (5) gs in Aug.
Robbers Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) In touch, not fluent 4th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 25l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Salpierre (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, chased winner to 4th, behind from next, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Spit (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, struggling next, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 17, well behind Peveril (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
The Darling Boy 50-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakening when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, 7th of 15, 36l behind Black Jack Blues (11-3) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gs.
Lost Glory (NZ) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on approaching last, never trouble leaders, 5th of 14, 20l behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Douryna 66-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Topsham Belle (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
Sanctuaire (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Prospert Le Grand (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Oct.
Weapon Of War (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 29l behind Cheshire Prince (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
