in touch in chasing group, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in touch in chasing group, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake last
held up, behind from 4th
prominent in chasing group, chased winner after 5th, 3 lengths down last, stayed on but no impression
made all, went well clear after 1st, 9 lengths clear 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on gamely flat
took keen hold in rear, behind from 4th
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra last
in touch in chasing group, weakened after 3 out
chased clear winner until after 5th, weakened after 2 out
mistake 2 out and last, never a factor
held up, struggling 5th, headway after 2 out, blundered last, never dangerous
held up towards rear, lost touch after 5th
mid-division, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
Kasbah Bliss has winning form over hurdles in France and, being trained by Francois Doumen, has to be respected but he may struggle to concede weight away to Nicky Hendeson's French import Afsoun who gets the vote with Le Corvee and Patman Du Charmil rated the best of the remainder. The selection lacks a previous run over timber but represents a yard that is sure to have him well schooled and is in particularly good form at present so a chance is taken with the gelding who won his only start on the flat in good fashion. Fair Along has more to do than when winning his last two starts at Bangor, while One More Time will need to improve on what he showed first time out for Howard Johnson at Wetherby. Irish raider Battledress is probably better than he showed at Listowel last time although a bigger threat may come from Alan King's Warwick winner Le Corvee, who looks to be going the right way. Patman Du Charmil made a pleasing debut for his new connections when scoring in the soft at Uttoxeter and would not mind any further rain but Afsoun is a potentially interesting recruit and gets the vote.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) (10-1) Prominent, every chance, one pace from before last, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Tidal Fury (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f hdl Grd 2 sft in Oct.
Battledress (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid division, moderate 8th 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, 8th of 16, 11l behind Son Of Mary (10-12) at Listowel 2m 3yo hdl gd in Sept.
Able Charlie (GER) 9-1 (10-12) Led, headed 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Le Corvee (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Afsoun (FR) (9-2) Made most, easily, won at Chantilly 1m 7f hcp gd in Jul beating Alcala (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran (Flat).
Fair Along (GER) 13-8fav (11-5) Made all, clear at 3rd, unchallenged, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug beating Diktatit (10-2) by 25l, 11 ran.
Inchcape Rock 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders and hung left before last, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Le Corvee (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) In touch, smooth headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on, won at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Oct beating Bayard (10-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Palace Walk (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Made all, clear when jumped right and hit last, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Oct beating Madam Caversfield (10-5) by 4l, 13 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 6th, clear when hit last, eased near finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct beating Gardasee (10-12) by 6l, 15 ran.
Trigger Guard 5-1 (11-2) Stumbled and slipped up at the 3rd in race won by Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Wembury Point (IRE) 9-2fav (11-6) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, mistake last, 6th of 12, 6l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Madam Caversfield 10-1 (10-5) Held up, headway and mistake 3 out, close up and every chance when stumbled and fell 2 out in race won by Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
One More Time (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, headway 4th, led before 3 out, ridden next, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 16l behind Aviation (11-2) at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (A) sft in Oct.
