led, mistake 7th, headed briefly 9th, headed 14th, close up when fell 3 out
held up and mistake 1st, headway 12th, led 4 out, challenged when mistake last, soon driven
tracked leaders, disputed lead after 7th, mistake 8th, led briefly 9th, mistake again next, weakening when jumped left 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, rallied briefly 11th, mistake 12th, behind when hampered and fell 3 out
in touch and keen, ridden 4 out, weakening and detached when slightly hampered 3 out
held up tracking leaders, hit 5 out, ridden next, hampered 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, mistake and one pace from last
mid-division, hit 7th, ridden 9th, mistake next, plugged on
Pretty Star can land this at the expense of Ange De Villez and Classified. The selection comes from a yard hot in form at present and he ran well to finish second to Yaboya on his hurdles bow at Market Rasen last time out. He is rated in the eighties on the flat and if able to improve from his first outing he should have a live chance of success. Ange De Villez was well touted for prior to his first run in this country at Wetherby. He disappointed that day pulling up after weaking quickly. Paul Nicholls has his team in good order at present so if forgiven that run he has to be respected. Having said that if he was to go off at short odds he has to be treated with caution. Classified is the winner of nine races to date and was a high class hurdler on his day. His last win though came nearly four years ago and even though he has his debut over the larger obstacles today which may bring some life back into his step he may be best watched first time of asking. So for the winner we return to Pretty Star.
Ange De Villez (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, blundered 4th, blundered badly 5 out, not recover and pulled up 2 out in race won by Percussionist (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Oct, 6 ran.
Classified (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Westender (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May, 12 ran.
Flash Point (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by New Little Bric (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
In Accord 9-2 (11-0) In rear, blundered badly 1st, always well behind, 4th of 6, well behind Yaboya (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Jet Magic (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened after 8th, 6th of 14, 35l behind Minella Tipperary (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Mount Cook (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 4th, ridden after 6th, no impression before 2 out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Zimbabwe (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in Jan '04.
Pretty Star (GER) 15-2 (11-0) Close up, every chance when mistake 3 out, kept on well from last, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Yaboya (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Rosarian (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Held up when unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Cool Roxy (11-1) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Captain O'Neill 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Beluga (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
