always behind
held up towards rear, under pressure 6th, soon behind, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
led 2nd, pushed clear before 3 out, challenged and jumped left last, soon headed, rallied and kept on strongly to lead close home
in rear when fell 4th
tracked leaders, under pressure 7th, soon faded, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, keen hold, hit 8th and 9th, weakened next
pulled hard and prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not jump well, weakened before 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, steady headway from 3 out, never trouble leaders
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
led until 2nd, remained prominent, chased winner 2 out, led soon after last, headed and no extra towards finish
Mistral De La Cour looks the one to be with in a competitive opener; the list of dangers is headed by Flinders Bay and Razzamatazz. The selection ran his best race for a while at Wetherby last time when chasing home Lawaaheb. He will be suited by the drop in trip and by this softer surface and he looks a rock solid bet. Flinders Bay does have ability but he doesn't always go through with his effort, although he does have his optimum conditions today. Razzamatazz has got some fair form but this 9-year-old is probably at his best on faster ground, so he is worth opposing today. Maximus is from a yard in fair form and he looks the best of the others, but for the winner we will stick with Mistral De La Cour who is a confident choice.
Flinders Bay (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 12th, going well 3 out, ridden next, found nil, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Cash On Friday (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Razzamatazz 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Ammunition (11-10) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Chimichurri (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, jumped left 4th, jumped slowly 7th and weakened, 11th of 15, 46l behind Scots Dragoon (10-9) at Hereford 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gf in Oct.
Asbury Park 28-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5th, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 7th of 15, 16l behind Felinious (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Lapidaie (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Struggling 7th, soon lost touch and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Big Al (9-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 5 out, ridden and headed 3 out, mistake next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Lawaaheb (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Runshan (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Pulled hard early and chased leader, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 29l behind Irish Raptor (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct '06.
Queen Excalibur 20-1 (10-6) In touch, losing place when mistake 3rd, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 43l behind Thievery (10-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Mystic King 7-1 (11-7) Bhnd til pulled up at the 13th in race won by Euryalus (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May '06, 11 ran.
Maximinus 12-1 (10-7) In touch, mistakes 2nd and 8th, weakening when blundered 12th, 6th of 11, 33l behind River Indus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Narval D'avelot (FR) 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and weakening when not much room and fell 2 out in race won by Bermuda Pointe (10-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
