led, blundered and unseated rider 4th
took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, left tracking leader 4th, dropped to 3rd at 17th, reached for 4 out, soon outpaced just held on for modest 3rd
tracked leader, left in lead 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon joined, ridden to assert between last 2, kept on well
raced wide, tracked leaders, blundered and stumbled badly 4th, reached for 12th, outpaced when stumbled badly 13th, plugged on run-in
raced keenly, held up tracking leaders, left in 3rd place at 4th, hit next, 2nd 13th, closed and every chance 3 out, ridden and held between last 2
KUPATANA made a winning start over fences with a victory at Kempton. Nicky Henderson’s charge was well beaten when runner-up in a handicap at Newbury last time to Knocknanuss, rated 133, but looks to have an easier task back at this level. She’s clear on these terms of the likes of Castafiore, Blackdown Hills and Floral Bouquet though the latter goes chasing for the first time and may improve along with Little Miss Poet. Philip Hobbs’ mare looks the biggest threat to the selection if running anywhere near her hurdles mark.
Kupatana (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Led in start, led until 3rd (water), chased winner until 9th, outpaced before next, ridden and went 3rd 3 out, left remote 2nd at the last, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Knocknanuss (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Blackdown Hills 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, soon closed, not fluent 12th, weakened next, pulled up after 3 out, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Castafiore (USA) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, went poor 4th from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 26 1/2l behind Destrier (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Floral Bouquet 9-4 (10-13) Led, pressed when fell 2 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Little Miss Poet 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, closer 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden chasing leaders on inside before 2 out, weakened before the last, 5th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Sensulano (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
