mid-division, headway chasing leaders 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, plugged on in 4th inside final furlong
mid-division out wide, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leaders out wide, weakened inside final 2f
raced keenly, slight lead, headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened over 1f out
with leader, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened quickly
held up in rear, some late headway, never threatened
raced keenly tracking leaders, led going well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, edged right and weakened inside final 2f
mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, plugged on in 3rd final furlong
eased out of race after 2f, pulled up
Calva D'Auge and Flashing Glance share a similar rating over hurdles and both have been in good form this season, winning twice. Before Midnight has placed four times over fences since joining Sam Thomas and Shut The Box has a similar profile but both are likely to find at least one too good again. Goa Lil is probably having a confidence-booster and Le Ligerien is struggling to scale last season’s heights, though should help ensure this is run at a decent gallop. STERNRUBIN placed on the Flat as a three-year-old and developed into a decent hurdler. He’s a 10-year-old now but perhaps a change of scenery can help him rediscover his best form.
Ar Mest (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, raced keenly, closed from 3f out, led 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Thibault (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Bailarico (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Last pair, pushed along and struggling after 7th, plugged on, no threat, 5th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Small Present (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Bard Of Brittany 9-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, ridden and beaten after 3 out, 6th of 11, 13l behind Gustavian (12-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Before Midnight 15-2 (11-2) Ran bit in snatches, held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 8th, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Alnadam (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Calva D'Auge (FR) 5-2 (10-10) Led until 3 out, soon ridden, led again 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Good Man Pat (10-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Flashing Glance 10-3fav (10-11) Led, mistake 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, hampered approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Storm Goddess (10-0) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Goa Lil (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Prominent, jumped right 1st, not fluent 6th (water), lost place before 12th, soon pushed along, weakened before 3 out, last of 4, dist behind Evander (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Hollywood Ken (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 5th until before 3 out, chased leader until weakened rapidly before next, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Gustavian (12-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Le Ligerien (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leader until before 4th, 2nd next until 8th, chased leaders, awkward 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after, 4th of 6, 18l behind Dostal Phil (10-7) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Motdepas (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, flattened next, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Imperial Icon (11-9) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Muthabir (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Raced out wide and keen in mid-division, struggling 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Supakalanistic (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Shut The Box (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 5th, left 2nd 5 out, led before next, jumped left and mistake 3 out, soon headed, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Funambule Sivola (11-11) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sternrubin (GER) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hung left, close up after 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 13, dist behind Cadzand (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
