jumped right throughout, chased leader, led 3rd, headed 2 out, kept on
held up, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well
led to 3rd, chased leader, blundered 5th, kept on same pace from 4 out
held up, behind from 5th, soon tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, some headway approaching 3 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, disputing 3rd when fell 4 out
Bywell Beau showed progressive form over hurdles last season, showed enough on his reappearance at Ascot and is taken to make his debut over fences here, getting the vote over Open de L'Isle and Circassian. The last mentioned has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated over hurdles but is a consistent performer and has to be respected. French import Mongorno makes his debut for the in-form Ferdy Murphy today and is probably best watched, while Monsieur has the benefit of experience but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Open de L'Isle ran with credit at Kelso last month and has to be respected but Bywell Beau could be too classy for these and he gets the verdict.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Raced freely, led and soon clear, ridden after 5th, hit 3 out, headed under pressure 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 13l behind Missis Potts (10-13) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Circassian (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, headway 7th, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from last, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Snow's Ride (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Nov.
King Mak 16-1 (10-12) Led to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 8, 39l behind Akilak (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Magic Bengie 100-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 9th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jack The Blaster (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Nov, 6 ran.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Raced keenly in touch, left in lead 2nd, headed next, left in lead again 6th, headed 2 out, ridden and rallied flat, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Water Taxi (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Mongorno (FR) (10-10) Held up, smooth headway to lead last, soon clear, won at Auteuil 2m 2f clm in May beating Buontalenti (9-13) by 5l, 9 ran.
Inherent (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Raced keenly, led to 3rd, hit 4th, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, 34l behind Overbranch (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Monsieur (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Led, clear when fell 5 out in race won by Sunday City (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
