led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 3 out, headed next, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leaders, headway to lead 2 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat
raced keenly, always towards rear, tailed off 2 out
mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, led last, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, led 3rd, hit 5th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
always behind, tailed off from 2 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind
held up, outpaced 3 out, behind when fell next
held up and behind, some headway after 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind
in touch, driven and lost place 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, effort when stumbled 2 out, soon ridden, one pace when not fluent last
Quartier Latin can take the prizemoney back to Germany, with Balyan, Third Empire, Sunisa and Rare Coincidence seen as the main dangers. Christian Von Der Recke won this 12 months ago with Beanney and has obvious claims with Quartier Latin who is all set to go one better than when second at Plumpton on his British debut in November. Successful on the Flat in his homeland, the son of Woodman was not overly impressive at the Sussex track, but was getting the hang of things as the race progressed and only need improve a few pounds here to collect. Balyan finished eighth in the Chester Cup and is an interesting newcomer from a top yard, indeed he had winning form on the Flat for John Oxx in Ireland. He is sure to be fancied in the market, given his connections, but could be worth taking on. Newcastle Flat winner Third Empire has shaped fairly well on both starts to date over timber but has given the impression that he needs further to be seen to best effect. Sunisa did not beat much in a conditionals' event at Haydock in December and has since been well beaten on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, while Rare Coincidence made all at Uttoxeter in November but has not managed to dominate proceedings since. The vote goes to Quartier Latin.
Dubonai (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) unseated rider in race won by Turnstile (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Balyan (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, 14th of 17, 17l behind Courageous Duke (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug (Flat).
Barney (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, no impression approaching omitted hurdle 2 out, 8th of 11, well behind Turnstile (11-13) at Catterick 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd.
Industrial Star (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Always prominent, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Apr beating Panama Venture (10-8) by 3l, 11 ran.
Quartier Latin (USA) 7-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Anticipating (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Third Empire 20-1 (11-2) With leader, led 4 out, headed last, no extra, 4th of 15, 6l behind First Look (11-2) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Sunisa (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Behind, headway after 5th, led approaching last, all out, won at Haydock 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec beating Time To Roam (10-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Rare Coincidence 8-1 (11-5) Chased winner to 4 out, ridden, no impression from next, 5th of 20, 24l behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
