tracked leader, led after 6th, headed after next, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 7th to chase leaders, ridden after next, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance after 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, leader after 7th, ridden and headed after last, no extra
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden to press leader approaching last, stayed on well to lead flat, ridden out
tracked leaders until 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace after
led until after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, kept on same pace
held up behind, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
held up behind, steady headway from 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd flat, never troubled leaders
mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 5f, weakened approaching 2f out
soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 6f
French Envoy has been given a nice break since making an encouraging return behind the useful Boychuk at Exeter last month and is taken to go one better here at the main expense of Hibernian and Lunch Was My Idea. The last mentioned showed promise without winning in bumpers and has to be respected given that he is trained by Paul Nicholls but he may be best watched on his hurdling debut and seasonal reappearance. Gary Moore's Chocolate Boy showed only a modicum of ability on his hurdling debut, while Different Class could be of interest first time over hurdles but needs to improve. Rotheram was capable on the flat and should come on for his hurdling debut so is another to consider although a bigger threat may come from Oliver Sherwood's Hibernian, who showed decent form from limited opportunities in bumpers and is sure to have been well schooled. French Envoy has an obvious chance on Exeter form though and is taken to go one better today.
Chocolate Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 5th, effort next, not fluent and weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 19l behind Motorway (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Different Class (IRE) 7-4 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Au Courant (10-13) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gd.
French Envoy (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led to 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, not fluent left, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Boychuk (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Hibernian (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Always prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 17, 8l behind The Grey Man (10-8) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gs in Apr.
Lunch Was My Idea (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Led until driven and headed 2f out, soon hung left and weakened final furlong, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Sun Pageant (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in Apr.
Malibu (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Chased leader 8f out until 6f out, remained handy, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Boppys Princess (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May (Flat).
Mooresini (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Pontiff (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (H) sft in Feb.
Rotheram (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 15l behind Gallery God (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
