held up on outside, took keen hold, closed 3rd, led going well 2 out, drawing clear when fell last, unlucky
tracked leader until after 2nd, not fluent and pecked next, outpaced and no impression 2 out, went 3rd after last
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2nd, ridden and stayed on same pace in 3rd from 2 out, left 2nd last, no impression on winner
led, shaken up and headed 2 out, soon driven, beaten when left in clear lead last
held up in rear, went right 1st, closed 3rd, ridden and outpaced 2 out, no impression when mistake and left 3rd briefly last
held up, niggled along and in touch 3rd, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
Hidden Cargo has been declared for this but was strongly fancied at Newbury yesterday. In his likely absence, MONSIEUR CO is likely to be a short price on his first start for Paul Nicholls. He won over hurdles for Guillaume Macaire and scored in decent company over fences at Enghien in November. Black Mischief might do better over hurdles having been placed in all three starts in bumpers and his yard is in cracking form.
Black Mischief 10-3 (11-2) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6 3/4l behind Top Ville Ben (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Garde Forestier (FR) 200-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, some headway 3 out, weakened before next, 14th of 16, dist behind Strong Pursuit (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Soulsaver 100-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, last of 11, dist behind Volpone Jelois (10-7) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, well behind 4 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Keeper Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Monsieur Co (FR) (10-7) won at Enghien 2m 1f hvy in Nov beating Gold In Love (10-3) by shd, 7 ran.
Dites Rien (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 12th of 16, dist behind Just A Thought (11-9) at Hereford 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Fleur Du Weld 200-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place 5th, weakened after 5 out, tailed off next, soon pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Hidden Cargo (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, closed from 4th, led 2 out, headed last, stayed on but no impression on winner, 2nd of 18, 1l behind Movewiththetimes (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec.