held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace flat
held up in rear, under pressure and struggling from 3rd, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, headed approaching 4th, headed soon after 3 out, weakened next
took keen hold early, held up, headway approaching 3 out, second before 2 out, led before last, driven and stayed on strongly flat
chased leader to approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened next
led, until approaching 4th, chased leader until weakened under pressure soon after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders until lost place before 3rd, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
held up, smooth headway on wide outside to track leaders approaching 3 out, led soon after 3 out, hit 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
Nonrunner
Not a strong renewal; preference is for ME VOICI narrowly ahead of Rougham and Sang Bleu. The lengthy home straight here looks tailor-made for Nick Williams' gelding given the way he ran at Newbury. Improving with each start, he was unlucky to bump into a smart one there in the form of Royal Mix and with this softer ground likely to be in his favour he can go one place better this afternoon. Sang Bleu is a stablemate of Royal Mix so Paul Nicholls should know where he stands. Any market support for this French recruit would have to look ominous, especially since he has already won over hurdles in France but is unpenalised for that success. Rougham ran well from the front the other week where he would have finished much closer but for a bad mistake at the final flight of hurdles. He evidently revels in the mud and cannot be passed over too readily. Riptide is consistent and he holds Hector's House on their Ffos Las run, however he in turn is held by Kudu Country on their Haydock clash. The latter has more scope for improvement and has won since, so he looks a more feasible danger. Hurdling debutant Extreme Impact, and the consistent Bocamix need considering, however we are happy to side with Me Voici.
Bocamix (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Olofi (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft.
Extreme Impact 5-2 (9-2) Led, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Samovar (9-5) at Tramore 1m 6f 3yo mdn gd in May (flat).
Kudu Country (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Prominent, led approaching 4th, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs beating Stormy Weather (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Me Voici (FR) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd or 5th, went 2nd after 2 out and soon pressing winner, ridden last, no impression inside final 150 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Royal Mix (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Riptide 4-6fav (11-0) Made all, hit 3 out, joined next, ridden and stayed on well run in, won at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Hector's House (10-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Rougham 4-1 (11-5) Led, blundered 3 out, kept narrow advantage, mistake 2 out, half a length ahead and going okay when blundered badly last, soon headed and not able to recover, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Advisor (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Salontyre (GER) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Barwell Bridge (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Sang Bleu (FR) (10-3) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f mdn hdl sft in Oct beating Tanerko Emery (10-3) by 2l, 20 ran.
Hector's House 10-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 3 out, 3rd and no impression when hit 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Barwell Bridge (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
