chased leader, just over 4 lengths down when left in lead 10th, drew clear approaching last, eased towards finish
raced keenly, not fluent 1st, chased leaders, left disputing lead 10th, still every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, soon eased
held up, not fluent, pecked 6th, hampered 10th, soon behind, mistake 3 out, closed approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner
led, not fluent 3rd, just over 4 lengths ahead when fell 10th
Nonrunner
Given the form of the yard, it may be worth taking a chance with AU COURANT ahead of Quickbeam and Mount Sandel. The selection is the selected Seven Barrows runner from a strong four-strong team at the five-day stage. His fitness has to be taken on trust but the yard has proved time and again that it is rarely an issue and he's fancied to keep his unbeaten record intact. Quickbeam is the one that we fear most as he has the scope to make up into a decent chaser but he fell relatively early on at Towcester which raises obvious questions. Mount Sandel has more to prove having been rather in and out over the last couple of seasons. He's bred to make up into a chaser and his yard, who have enjoyed something of a resurgence this season, may still be able to get a tune out of him but Au Courant can keep the Henderson/McCoy bandwagon rolling.
Au Courant (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden, challenged 2 out, led soon after last, all out, won at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan '06 beating Barton Legend (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Idarah (USA) 5-2 (11-4) Held up, headway after 4 out, led 3 out, soon clear, easy, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Mulaazem (10-12) by 23l, 8 ran.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 2nd, chased leaders, led 9th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Crescent Island (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Quickbeam (IRE) 8-13fav (11-1) Led, clear 6th and fell at the 7th in race won by Consigliere (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Pass The Class (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, last of 7, 33l behind At The Money (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
