pulled hard, soon chased leader, hit 4th, led 4 out, not fluent next, came clear from 2 out, easily
chased leader, led 2nd, headed 4 out, chased winner, no impression when lost 2nd well before 2 out, one pace in 3rd after
held up in 6th, ridden along 5th, struggling next, tailed off
raced wide, led until after 2nd, settled 3rd until lost place before 5th, struggling before 3 out, tailed off
held up in 7th, ridden and struggling 4 out, hit next
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and outpaced by leading trio after 3 out, hit last
took keen hold, chased leading pair, went 2nd well before 2 out, no chance with winner
After finishing second on his hurdling debut over 2m4f here in November, Sprinter Sacre only had to be pushed out to get the better of Sorcillera over this trip at Ffos Las earlier in the month. The gelding could struggle to follow up here though, with POLISKY a live danger receiving 14lb. The four-year-old was just beaten in a Listed event at Auteuil on his only appearance so far last September and the form of that race has worked out well. Bumper winner Milgen Bay has been placed in all three starts over timber so far and L'Eminence Grise is gradually getting the hang of jumping, though will probably do better when tackling handicaps. Soleil D'Avril is probably best of the rest but isn't anything special.
Sprinter Sacre (FR) 2-9fav (11-3) Always prominent, led on bit soon after 3 out, clear before last, very impressive, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Sorcillera (10-10) by 10l, 8 ran.
Di Kaprio (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leader, left in lead 2nd until carried out and very wide on bend soon after, recovered to chase leader before next until 5th, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Pateese (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Eldred (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching next, in a race won by Poungach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Faith Keeper (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 32l behind No Secrets (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Smart Catch (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up in last pair, headway to 4th over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 8, 16l behind Penny Max (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (5) hvy in Nov.
Soleil D'avril (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Raced in 5th, 4th after 4 out, modest 6th as field came into view final 110 yards, 6th of 12, 34l behind Rock On Ruby (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) gs in Dec.
L'eminence Grise (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge before 2 out, soon one pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 10l behind Grandouet (11-8) at Ascot 2m 4yo hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Polisky (FR) (10-1) 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Prince Pretender (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Sep.
Milgen Bay 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead before 3 out, headed narrowly after last, kept on gamely run-in, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, shd behind Whispering Death (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
