jumped right, led until 7th, led 9th, drew clear from 3 out, landed a bit awkwardly 2 out, easily
chased winner before 2nd, led 7th until 9th, no impression from 3 out, lost 2nd flat
2nd early, last when not fluent 3rd, went 3rd 3 out, jumped left 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching last
After bolting up in this grade at Newbury, when Ashtown Lad was tailed off, Ahoy Senor failed to jump with any fluency in the Kauto Star at Kempton and was easily brushed aside by Bravemansgame. He faces nothing of that one’s quality today but is giving weight to his rivals with the five-year-old SAINT PALAIS also benefiting from a 6lb allowance. Richard Bandey’s charge is an up-and-coming novice who might be a bit of value here. Noble Yeats has had limitations exposed since scoring at Galway in the autumn.
Ahoy Senor (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Led and soon clear until hit 3rd and reduced lead, awkward 11th, hit 4 out and joined, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with winner, pecked last, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Bravemansgame (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Ashtown Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led 8th, headed next, led 11th, ridden and 3 1/2 lengths ahead last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mint Condition (11-4) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Noble Yeats (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always last, jumped left, slow jump at 1st, trailing 3rd, tailed off when pulled up after 9th, at Naas 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan.
Saint Palais (FR) 7-4fav (11-3) Waited with towards rear, steady headway on inside tracking leaders 17th, disputing lead after 2 out, strongly pressed last, battled on gamely to go clear run-in, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Gericault Roque (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
