in touch, led 3 out, clear approaching next, ridden and headed after last, no extra
held up towards rear, never on terms
prominent, keen hold, slow 2nd, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division when fell 1st
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened next
in touch, headway 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, led after last, all out
led, headed 4th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
held up, saddle slipped, pulled up before 3rd
always towards rear, tailed off
La Vecchio Scuola, Hernando Cortes and Mr Crystal make the shortlist in an intriguing contest with a number of unraced types, but Hernando Cortes can get off the mark on his debut. A Beverley Flat winner in July, Mr Crystal has won twice this season over hurdles this season, and was leading when coming to grief at the second last at Wetherby last time. He will be thereabouts but a double penalty may be troublesome. The colt Hernando Cortes represents the in form Donald McCain, and this son of Sadlers Wells out of Houseproud, winner of the French 1,000 Guineas, was an inmate of Aidan O'Brien's, finishing placed in a couple of Irish maiedns in a light Flat campaign. He is a fascinating runner here, but may learn from the experience. Twice a winner on the Flat this summer, La Vecchio Scuola has shown promise on each of her starts over timber. She can go well again. Hernando Cortes can prove a cut above his rivals.
Mr Crystal (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3 out, a length up and going well when fell 3 out in race won by Callisto Moon (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3yo lst hdl (1) gf in Nov, 4 ran.
Acapulco Bay 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 16, well behind Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Calzaghe (IRE) 11-10fav (8-13) In touch and keen, not clear run 2f out, switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept beating Bond Casino (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran (Flat).
Hernando Cortes 6-1 (9-5) Close 2nd, 3rd under pressure 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 20, 6l behind Mourilyan (9-5) at Curragh 1m 2f 2yo mdn gs in Oct (Flat).
Lyon's Hill 5-1 (9-3) Led 1f, with leader, effort over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ashwell Rose (9-4) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Nov (Flat).
Presque Perdre 28-1 (8-7) Led for 2f, chased clear leader, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Cheshire Prince (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (6) gf in Aug (Flat).
Rainbow Flame 22-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 40l behind Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Simple Jim (FR) 16-1 (9-3) In touch and keen, ridden 3f out, not clear run and hampered over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 12, 6l behind Blue Hills (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Sonara (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led after 6f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, 9th of 10, well behind Doubly Guest (8-12) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Led until jumped slowly and headed 1st, remained prominent, effort and challenged after last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Pagan Starprincess (10-5) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Ranavalona 150-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Dr McFab (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Santera (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) In touch, driven along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 11, 8l behind Distant Drama (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Star In Our Eyes (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Soon in rear, lost touch approaching 3rd, no chance when blundered badly last, 9th of 11, well behind Taran Tregarth (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
