took keen hold, behind, left close 2nd after 3rd, mistake next, challenged 5th, led 3 out, headed before not fluent last, switched right flat, stayed on same pace
hampered and unseated rider 1st
jumped left at times, left in clear lead 1st, tried to jump rail dismantled by loose horses after 3rd, went right and went through another rail and ended up on wrong course
led, wandered, almost refused and unseated rider 1st
behind, left close 3rd after 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, led before last, edged left flat, driven out
hampered and left 2nd behind clear leader 1st, left in lead after 3rd, not fluent 6th, headed 3 out, weakened next
Cause Toujours has improved since winning a handicap here in June and Edward Austin’s claims helps negate the double penalty. But in-form Ian Williams also runs hurdling newcomer THE GRAND VISIR and the four-year-old could be a smart recruit to the novice ranks. He won three times up to 2m on the Flat for William Haggas and, after wind surgery, once for John Butler, changed hands for 170,000gns shortly after. Eldorado Allen was impressive in beating a well-regarded newcomer at Sandown and can’t be ignored while Champagne Mystery was sold for £68,000 after finishing second in a Lisronagh point in April. West To The Bridge is not progressing but still preferred top stable companion Bonbonniere.
Cause Toujours (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Led 2nd, 5 lengths clear next, hard driven when challenged after last, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Grand Sancy (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Sandown 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov beating Sevarano (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Champagne Mystery (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Ld until 2nd frm aftr 1st, ld 6out & chall aftr 3out, hdd bef last where outjumped, no ex cl hme, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Espoir De Loire (11-11) at Lisronagh 3m mdn hvy in Apr.
The Grand Visir 25-1 (10-0) Raced wide early, always prominent, led entering final furlong, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Winston C (9-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
West To The Bridge (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind, some headway into mid-division approaching 2 out, no headway from 2 out, 10th of 20, 20 3/4l behind Bright Forecast (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Bonbonniere 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, last of 16, dist behind Definitelyanoscar (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
