held up, mistake 6th, headway 4 out, led next, hung right after last, kept on, headed near finish
in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
always behind
in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, no impression from next
tracked leader and keen, ridden 3 out, kept on
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead near finish
Le Rochelais, Orang Outan and Hibernian are three against the field in a trappy opener and the narrow vote is given to Le Rochelais. The selection was a fair fifth behind Heez A Dreamer last time out, he is sure to have come on for the run and with the drop in distance also looking to be in his favour he looks a value bet in an open affair. Orang Outan rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind the highly regarded Rasharrow but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time and he is taken on with this in mind. Hibernian showed a modicum of ability over hurdles and could improve for the switch to fences so should be noted in the market with his yard back amongst the winners. Of the remainder Mange Tout is dropping in class and is another that could improve for fences but his best form is on a faster surface and with this in mind for the winner we return to Le Rochelais.
Bright Eagle (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Always prominent, went second 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed soon after last, not quicken, 2nd of 21, 2l behind Golano (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Nov '04.
Government (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Behind and struggling from 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Presenting Alf (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Hibernian (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) In touch, hit 2nd, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 7th of 19, 30l behind Onward To Glory (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Prominent, joined leader after 4th to 6th, weakened quickly, 10th of 12, well behind Little Rocker (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Le Rochelais (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Led 1st to 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 19l behind Heez A Dreamer (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Mange Tout (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Kicks For Free (11-8) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Necker (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3rd, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 15, 38l behind Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Orang Outan (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leader to 7th, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 22l behind Rasharrow (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
