tracked leaders, close 2nd 11th, ridden after 2 out, switched right flat, held final 100 yards, stayed on
prominent, ridden when not fluent 2 out, 4th and one pace after, went 3rd but no chance with front pair when jumped right last
held up on outside, headway 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, soon beaten, weakening when mistake last
made all, ridden when not fluent last, soon edged left, stayed on well to draw clear final 100 yards
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 11th, lost place 3 out, well beaten next, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 11th, well beaten from next
held up in rear, not always fluent, mistake 9th, in touch 11th, ridden after next, mistake and weakened 3 out, went modest 4th close home
Volnay De Thaix was a smart hurdler and landed the odds on his fencing bow at Doncaster. He wasn't totally convincing but can only improve and will be a threat to all if handling these fences. Beg To Differ could give a boost to his Uttoxeter conqueror Aubusson in the previous race while Minella Rocco is much better than he showed here last month when an early blunder affected his confidence and he was pulled up. Blaklion and Le Mercurey are hoping to add to respective recent victories here and at Ascot, though the former would definitely prefer a bit further. Kelso winner Seeyouatmidnight is also a stayer though will love the heavy ground. THREE MUSKETEERS must have needed his reappearance at Huntingdon as he made no mistake in a Grade 2 at Newbury next time when jumping well and travelling strongly throughout. He looks a high-class recruit to the chasing ranks and can double his tally here.
Blaklion 3-1 (11-1) Held up on inside, closed before 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) sft in Dec beating Onenightinvienna (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Le Mercurey (FR) 2-1 (11-4) Held up in 5th place, headway into 2nd 12th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden between last two, keeping on in about 2 lengths 2nd when left in clear lead last, won at Ascot 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec beating Thomas Brown (11-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway 10th, led before 4 out, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov beating Activial (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Seeyouatmidnight 5-6fav (10-13) Made all, left 2 lengths clear 5 out, drew clear from 2 out, driven out, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m 7f (3) hvy in Dec beating Silsol (11-9) by 13l, 6 ran.
Aubusson (FR) 4-5fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, led when hit 11th, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m (4) hvy in Dec beating Dig Deeper (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Held up, blundered badly 4th, behind after until pulled up before 7th, at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Volnay De Thaix (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Pine Creek (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
