chased leader, ridden and challenged 2 out, soon led, headed approaching last, no extra flat
held up, in touch, mistake 4th, lost place 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, ridden and quicken approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, no extra
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, headway and led last, driven out
held up, mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ran on well under pressure from last, took 3rd close home
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Neither of Paul Nicholls two representatives Sporazene nor Perouse really took to fences last season and have to be respected back over timber today but Intersky Falcon is a classy performer and, if back to his best, should be able to give weight away all round. The selection has made up into a top class hurdler, particularly on a flat track, and last season's form when the stable was struggling with the virus is probably best forgotten. He may be worth chancing on his return with the Nicholls runners just a s likely to need the run first time out. Martin Pipe's Marcel failed to progress as much as anticipated last term, while Darrias looks to be the least likely winner of the three Paul Nicholls-trained runners in the line up. Royal Shakespeare has had the benefit of a recent run on the flat so should be ready for this but lost his way last season and may be best watched right now, while Hawadeth is a useful handicapper but may lack the class of Intersky Falcon, who gets the vote.
Intersky Falcon 14-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 6th, blundered 8th, soon lost place and no danger, 8th of 9, 13l behind Al Eile (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr.
Sporazene (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Held up, headway to go 25 lengths 2nd after 8th, 8 lengths down and closing when fell 4 out in race won by Ashley Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov chs (C) gs in Nov '04, 6 ran.
Perouse 4-6fav (11-6) In rear and never travelling, ridden from 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Croix De Guerre (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (D) gf in Jul, 6 ran.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Keen, chased leaders and mistakes, ridden after 5th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Coat of Honour (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in May, 11 ran.
Marcel (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Chased clear leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Mighty Man (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Apr.
Hawadeth 40-1 (10-9) Prominent, lost place briefly after 4th, jumped left 3 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 25, 4 1/2l behind Essex (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Darrias (GER) 10-11fav (11-6) Held up, headway 3 out, hit 2 out, led going well before swerving badly left at last, headed but rallied to regain lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct beating Double Dizzy (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Freedom Now (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 36l behind Don't Ask Me (10-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct.
Berengario (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leader, lost place 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 40l behind Looks The Business (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) frm in Oct.
