led, pushed along before 2 out, soon headed and ridden, switched left before last, kept on and edged left slightly left run-in, just held post
with leader, led before 2 out, ridden before last, just held on post
tracked leaders in 3rd, always a little outpaced, beaten from 3 out
whipped around start and refused to race
Norphin is out of form and Trakeur finished nine lengths behind Rouge Devils when the latter won over track and trip last week. Paul Nicholls’ charge is penalised for that success and will need further improvement if he’s to match LINGUINE in this. The latter was giving weight to the 121-rated odds-on favourite Templehills when runner-up at Ludlow last time and should be going one better in this with a similar effort.
Linguine (FR) 5-4 (11-5) Led until outjumped 2nd, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, no impression form 2 out, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Templehills (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gf in Oct.
Rouge Devils (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Not always fluent, made all, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (5) gf in Oct beating Trakeur (11-0) by 9l, 4 ran.
Norphin 50-1 (10-0) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders, challenged 5th, lost place before 2 out, 8th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Karl Marx (10-3) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Trakeur (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, chased winner from 6th, not fluent next, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Rouge Devils (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (5) gf in Oct.