prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, eased flat
led until hit 5th, ridden approaching last, led last, hard ridden, ridden flat, kept on well after
held up towards rear, ridden, headway approaching last, hard ridden, switched left flat, soon led, eased close home, just held on
mid-division, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, blundered, headed last, rallied flat, every chance when rider stopped riding close home, just failed
mid-division, reminder 5th, ridden 2 out, ran on same pace from last
prominent, ridden, effort after 2 out, one pace
chased leader, led after 5th, headed approaching last, weakened after
held up towards rear, ridden, effort approaching last, one pace
held up behind, hit 1st, blundered, unseated rider 2 out
prominent, headway to chase leaders 2 out, 5th, held when fell last
Poquelin gets the vote here ahead of King's Quay and Master Mahogany. There is a competitive line-up for thIs good contest including Philip Hobbs' promising novice of last season, Tritonix, Paul Nicholls' Triumph Hurdle sixth, Poquelin, and John Quinn's King's Quay, who comes here as fit and progressive and at the top of his game following a Market Rasen success. Pouvoir also comes here fit but, on literal novice form from Ayr, Poquelin may have his measure, while, conversely, Master Mahogany is well weighted with Tritonix based on last season's Warwick hurdling form, although the latter looks more progressive. Finally, Nike Walker won his last three races last season in good style but he has been raised 22 pounds since the last of them which will test him out. All in all, a very good race, with Poquelin selected.
Tritonix (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, progress 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Katchit (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Poquelin (FR) 5-6fav (11-6) Made all, ran on strongly, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gf in Apr beating English City (11-3) by 7l, 5 ran.
Kings Quay 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5th, ridden and outpaced next, good headway on outer after 2 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Jul beating Prince Ary (10-0) by a shd, 17 ran.
Chivalry 40-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 10th of 17, 23l behind Pigeon Island (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Pouvoir (FR) 7-2fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, not clear run and switched right 2 out, kept on last, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Gwanako (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Dishdasha (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 17, 6l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Ursis (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, 6th 5 out, ridden and no impression when mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out and pulled up in race won by Royal County Star (9-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-150 gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Fandani (GER) 12-1 (11-0) Always behind, well beaten when mistake 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Alph (11-0) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Master Mahogany 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 14th of 17, 13l behind Mill House Girl (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Nike Walker (FR) 4-7fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd well before 3 out, led going well 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Mar beating Dashing George (10-10) by 7l, 10 ran.
