prominent, pushed along and closed on leading pair approaching 3 out, led and pecked 3 out, stayed on well
always behind, lost touch before 4 out
chased leaders, weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
chased leaders until mistakes 4th and next, not jump well and behind after
in touch, mistake 6th, not much room next, stayed on one pace but no chance when hit 2 out and last
led, ridden and narrowly headed 3 out, stayed chasing winner after, held before last
held up in rear, good headway from 4th, chased leader before 8th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
held up, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, broke down and pulled up before next
unseated rider 1st
in touch, ridden when hampered 7th, behind and weakened 4 out
Duke of Buckingham is 7lbs higher than when scoring at Huntingdon last time and, along with recent Stratford hurdles winner Croix de Guerre, may have too much to do in this company so preference is for East Tycoon. The selection has often looked potentially useful and did so again when easily beating his rivals on his reappearance at Stratford in August. Disappointing on his next two starts, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding ran much better back at Stratford last time when going down by two lengths to Tamango. He is better than he showed that day and, back over two miles, looks worth a punt at the forecast odds. The Venetia Williams-trained Bleu Superbe should appreciate the underfoot conditions but does not win very often, while top weight Armaturk may need his first start of the campaign. Pak Jack is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return and is another to consider but East Tycoon holds solid claims on the pick of his form and with conditions ideal it is to be hoped that he reproduces his best.
Armaturk (FR) 25-1 (11-6) Held up and behind, dropped rear after 7th (water), never going well after, 6th of 9, 23l behind Well Chief (11-10) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Apr.
Duke of Buckingham (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up and behind, headway 12th, went 2nd 13th, led going well approaching 2 out, ridden clear when mistake last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gf in Sept beating Whispered Secret (11-12) by 14l, 7 ran.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden when mistake 3 out, every chance 2 out, left in lead close home, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gd beating Just In Time (10-10) by 2l, 12 ran.
East Tycoon (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Tamango (11-9) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 5-1 (10-2) Prominent, led 3rd, hit 5th and 8th, ridden and headed from 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Full Irish (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Pak Jack (FR) 11-8 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, good headway and chased leaders 3 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 4th of 8, 2l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (D) gd.
Danish Decorum (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 4th, headed and hit 8th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 13l behind Ball O Malt (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Sept.
Cobbet (CHR) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, hit last, one pace after, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Bill's Echo (9-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-140 (B) gd.
