led, not fluent 3 out, headed approaching next, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied flat to go 2nd towards finish
close up, lost place 4th, mistake 9th and rider briefly lost iron, weakened 4 out, soon behind, pulled up next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led soon after 2 out, ran on strongly
in rear, headway to press leader 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat and lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out
towards rear, headway and close up 4th, ridden 6 out, weakened 4 out, tailed off
CHAMPAGNE NOIR made a winning debut over fences at Huntingdon with Landin back in third. Charlie Longsdon’s charge looks worth sticking with given most of the remainder go chasing for the first time. They include Jackson Hill, placed over hurdles the last twice, while Working Class won off today’s mark over timber at this time last year. Captain Blackpearl has undergone wind surgery since last seen over hurdles but Hey Bud has yet to figure over the larger obstacles.
Champagne Noir (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led until 1st, led after next, headed 8th, led 2 out, pressed when left in command last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Belargus (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Working Class 12-1 (11-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Princess T (11-1) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Captain Blackpearl 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, effort in 3rd after 2 out, soon one pace, no extra closing stages, 4th of 5, 3 1/4l behind Bluefortytwo (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Jackson Hill (IRE) 7-2fav (11-11) Held up in mid-division, closed 6th, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Glimpse Of Gold (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Landin (GER) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, never dangerous, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind Champagne Noir (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Dariya (USA) 6-4fav (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along 3rd, ridden 5th, behind after 2 out, ran on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Authorizo (10-12) at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Oct.
Hey Bud 9-2 (11-5) Raced out wide chasing leaders, hit 5th and next, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and weakened well before next, 7th of 10, 28 1/2l behind Not A Role Model (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
