held up, closed 4th, not fluent 3 out, soon led, headed narrowly before 2 out, went right and led last, edged left and hard pressed flat, held on
in rear, not fluent 2nd, some headway after 5th, weakened next
pressed leader, not fluent 1st, lost 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, hit 5th, soon ridden and weakened
held up, closed 4th, 2nd after 3 out, led before mistake next, headed narrowly and lunged at last, edged left and every chance flat, just held
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, well outpaced by front pair before 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd flat
jumped left, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 3 out, soon headed, well held by front pair next, lost 3rd flat
Master Blueyes is taking a while to get to grips with hurdles and Nicky Henderson has a good line on the grey on a line through impressive Kempton winner Charli Parcs. DIVIN BERE may not be in the same class as the latter but arrives with a similar profile and is sure to be ready, despite an absence. Templier made a winning start over hurdles at Plumpton and is probably open to improvement but it’s difficult to make a case for the already-exposed King Julien or newcomer Head High.
Divin Bere (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind On The Go (10-7) at Auteuil 1m 7f gd in Apr.
Head High (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Raced wide, close up, tracked leader after 3f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Master Blueyes (9-1) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
King Julien (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, jumped right at times, not fluent 1st or 3rd, lost 2nd after 6th, 3rd and beaten 2 out, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Cape Of Glory (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Magnificent Madiba 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 4th until pushed along after next, weakened before 3 out, blundered last, 6th of 9, dist behind Cosmeapolitan (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Master Blueyes (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders, went modest 2nd before 2 out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Charli Parcs (11-3) at Kempton 2m (2) gd in Dec.
Shrubland 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place after 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Dec.
Templier (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Made virtually all, jumped left and bumped 2nd, slow 4 out, quickened clear after next, stayed on well, edged left and ridden out flat, won at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Jam Session (11-7) by 8l, 14 ran.
