tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 2nd, weakening when mistake 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and close at 2 out, one pace
in touch, mistake 1st, jumped left 3rd, took closer order 4th, led 2 out, clear approaching last
tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
held up rear, brief effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
held up, hampered 1st, hit 5th, mid-division when blundered 3 out, no further impression
held up, mistake 6th, soon ridden and held
ZAYNAR, Stow and Purely By Chance are all undefeated having won their only starts so far but the first mentioned of the trio has easily the best form and Nicky Henderson's gelding is taken to follow up his debut success at Newbury, getting the verdict ahead of Mountaineer. Gary Moore's gelding makes his racecourse debut here but is bred to be useful and has to be respected. Alan King's Saticon made a winning start to his hurdling career at Kempton in October but two subsequent defeats are of concern as is the penalty that he has to be carry. Emma Lavelle's Amore Mio should improve for her first effort but needs to, while Ray Diamond beat little at Plumpton last time and is likely to find this tougher. Zaynar sets a decent standard and is hard to oppose.
Saticon 2-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Ray Diamond 20-1 (10-7) Made virtually all, ridden approaching 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, hung right run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Sainglend (10-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Stow 4-1 (10-9) In touch on outside, led approaching 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Black Jacari (10-12) by 7l, 14 ran.
Zaynar (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) In touch, challenged from 3 out, led last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Walkon (11-5) by 4l, 13 ran.
Purely By Chance 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, led after last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec beating Mvuto (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Amore Mio (GER) 11-2 (10-9) Mistake 1st, held up towards rear, steady headway from 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, 5th and weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 17, 33l behind Higgy's Boy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
House of Lords (USA) 7-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Art Exhibition (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Mountaineer (FR) Saint Des Saints gelding out of Mistica.
Mistress Eva 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, soon pushed along and struggling, behind when mistake 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Zaynar (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
