MACHOIS was showing improved form on the Flat in the autumn. He was well beaten when third at Musselburgh on his hurdling debut but that run will have taught him plenty and he has form on heavy going. Balzac only ran twice on the Flat, winning his second start, and still has untapped potential while Warranty has already hinted at ability over timber. But Homme Public twice only found one too good at Auteuil last year and looks a bigger danger having a first run for Oliver Greenall.
African Sun (IRE) 250-1 (10-7) Keen in mid-division, mistake and weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Gericault Roque (11-5) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Balzac 4-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, made all, joined 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 1m 2f stks (5) gs in Jul beating Mersin (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Benito (FR) Rail Link gelding out of Aspolina.
El Jefe (IRE) 16-5 (11-0) Close up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, dist behind Hacker Des Places (11-6) at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Homme Public (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 12, nk behind Houx Gris (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Oct.
Lanval (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Held up tracking leading pair until outpaced 4f out, rallied into modest 3rd again over 2f out, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 4, 17 3/4l behind Golden Rules (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Machios 10-3 (10-12) Held up, headway before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 33l behind Fiveandtwenty (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m (2) sft in Dec.
One Last Glance Passing Glance gelding out of Lillie Lou.
Socks Off (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Towards rear, never threatened, 7th of 13, 15 1/2l behind Robelli (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Warranty (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and held when hung right between last 2, weakened, 3rd of 5, 7 3/4l behind Hudson De Grugy (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Jan.
