led until 3rd, led 5th, drew well clear approaching 2 out, very easily
not always fluent, held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway after 3rd, mistake next, 4th and well beaten from 3 out
held up in rear, well behind 4th, pulled up after
held up in touch, not fluent 1st or 5th, soon outpaced, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, 3rd and no chance with winner before blunder 2 out
in rear on outside, jumped slowly 1st, well behind 4th, pulled up after
tracked winner, jumped right 2nd, led next until 5th, ridden after 3 out, no chance with winner before next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 4th, tailed off next, pulled up after
FIXE LE CAP (NAP) is a typical example of the Nicky Henderson approach, being brought along gradually in ordinary company prior to being launched at juicier targets. The French import responded well on his first run for the yard to repel the strong challenge of Tommy Silver at Newbury and can follow up by conceding weight all round. Alan King's Fakenham winner, Mystery Code, rates an obvious danger after following up that debut success with a respectable Aintree third in Listed grade. Three Colours Red and Live Miracle, both rerouted from abandoned Bangor this week, are newcomers well worth keeping an eye on.
Fixe Le Kap (FR) 6-5fav (10-12) Led, pressed 3 out, headed narrowly last, soon ridden, rallied to regain lead flat, kept on well towards finish, won at Newbury 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Tommy Silver (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Deebaj (IRE) 9-4 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and lost 4th place towards finish, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Alla Breve (8-11) at Ffos Las 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul.
Jinsha Lake (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling before 4 out, soon beaten, plugged on, modest 5th, last of 5, dist behind Gibralfaro (11-4) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Jan.
Mister Dick (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, 3rd and one pace next, no impression, lost 3rd post, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Ashoka (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Mystery Code 5-2 (10-12) Held up, took keen hold, closed 4th, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 10 1/4l behind Jer's Girl (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f lst fll (1) sft in Dec.
Renaissance Red 6-4fav (10-12) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 5, 9 1/2l behind Steel Express (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f (6) hvy in Dec.
Three Colours Red (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Led and disputed, led after 3f, ridden and strongly pressed under 3f out, headed 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 8l behind Noble Inn (10-12) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp gd in Sep.
Live Miracle (USA) (8-12) won at Lyon-Parilly 1m 3f mdn stks gd in Jun beating Ashira (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
