tracked leader, slight lead on inside after 3rd, headed 4 out, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
tracked leaders went 3rd 2 out, no impression when hit last
chased leaders, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 4th, struggling and pulled up before 10th
pushed along early, soon in rear, headway on inside chasing leaders after 3rd, well there when jumped slowly and lost place 4 out, switched sharply right before next, went remote 4th 2 out
slight lead until after 3rd, tracked leader, challenged 5 out, led next, headed 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with winner, weakened run-in
chased leaders out wide, pushed along to challenge 4 out, pecked and weakened quickly 2 out
patiently ridden in last pair, pushed along and hit 9th, steady headway out wide 13th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led and bit awkward 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly
Sam Brown jumped poorly in the Many Clouds at Aintree in December having finished third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on his reappearance, a run which puts him on a par with Eldorado Allen who won this last year. The latter finished fourth in the King George at Kempton last time, when Hitman was pulled up. Paul Nicholls’ charge has won around here as well but is yet to prove he really stays this trip. Kalashnikov and Zanza were both tailed off when FANION D’ESTRUVAL (NAP) carried a big weight into third in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Charlie Deutsch rides the eight-year-old for the first time this season and cheekpieces could also bring about some improvement. Does He Know will love the ground and his Cheltenham win in November has been franked so he looks a threat to all.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Held up in 6th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, left remote 4th at the last, 4th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Bravemansgame (11-10) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Does He Know 6-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, went close 2nd out wide 2 out, led before the last, edged right briefly run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Eva's Oskar (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Sam Brown 9-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd briefly 4th, slow next, not fluent and reminder 8th, outpaced 4 out, well beaten 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Noble Yeats (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Fanion D'estruval (FR) 15-2 (12-0) Midfield, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Into Overdrive (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Hitman (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up in last trio, jumped slowly and struggling 11th, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Kalashnikov (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 10th, headway 15th, pushed along before 4 out, struggling when hampered next, 6th of 11, dist behind Into Overdrive (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Zanza (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Ran in snatches, held up in rear, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Into Overdrive (10-11) at Wetherby 3m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
