tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, lost touch 3 out, no chance when went left and mistake 2 out
not jumped well, raced keenly, with leader, led after 2nd, headed 5th, still every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last
led, headed after 2nd, chased leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last stride
in touch, hit 5th, jumped slowly 3 out, wandered and challenged 2 out, ran on under pressure to lead last strides
took keen hold in rear, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, hanging left before 2 out, weakened approaching last
This has the potential to be an interesting contest but it will come down to which of these juveniles handles the testing conditions best. Our suggestion is ROUGE ET BLANC but the case for him is far from being black and white with the likes of Trenchant, Aather and Ragamuffin Man in opposition. Rouge Et Blanc showed a great deal of promise on his debut at Auteuil when finishing six lengths behind Giorgio Quercus who has shown a fair level of form for Nicky Henderson. He changed hands having finished tailed off on his only subsequent outing but may be able to get back on track for a yard that's enjoyed a decent season. Ragamuffin Man was hampered early on at Hereford which wouldn't have helped and he may well be able to build on that experience. The market should prove useful with regard to his chances and those of Aather who showed fair form in Ireland and is a stablemate to leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Starluck. Trenchant was placed in soft ground for James Fanshawe and has joined a respected yard whilst Janet's Delight appears to handle testing ground well enough and has shown some ability. It may be best to let the market guide us but Rouge Et Blanc is put forwards at this stage.
Ace of Spies (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, ridden 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
All In The Red (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon driven and weakened, 4th of 5, 18l behind Benedict Spirit (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Dec (Flat).
Dr Kildare 150-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Higgy's Boy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Ragamuffin Man (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) In rear when badly hampered 1st, not fluent next, hit 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, no further progress, 5th of 14, 29l behind Stow (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) (10-0) 3rd of 20, 6l behind Giorgio Quercus (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl in May.
Trenchant 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Silk Hall (9-6) at Great Leighs 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Janet's Delight 25-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway under pressure and hung right before last, kept on run-in, 4th of 13, 16l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
Red And White (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd every chance 2 out, came wide into straight, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 26l behind Ronaldo Des Mottes (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
Aather (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Never a factor, 12th of 13, 11l behind Young Jemmy (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 pol in Aug (Flat).
Valento 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, not reached leaders, 4th of 14, 3l behind Princess India (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
