made all, hung right paddock bend, driven 3 out, ridden after next, 3 lengths advantage and in command last, drew well clear flat, comfortably
tracked winner, driven before 2 out, ridden when edged right between last 2, 3 lengths down and held last, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat, kept on
tracked front pair, close up 2 out, driven and one pace between last 2, ridden to take 2nd flat, kept on, no chance with winner
A disappointing turnout for a Grade 1 but a potentially fascinating duel between the Sandown Grade 2 winner Label Des Obeaux and the much-hyped BARTERS HILL. The latter has the greater scope and can maintain his unbeaten record. He was a very smart bumper horse last season and quickly put daylight between himself and the rest when making a winning start over timber at Huntingdon. The runner-up in that race, North Hill Harvey, went on to win at Cheltenham in a contest in which Politologue had every chance when trying to refuse at the last.
Barters Hill (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Made all, ridden after 3 out, clear before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating North Hill Harvey (10-12) by 14l, 10 ran.
Label Des Obeaux (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden out flat, stayed on well, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Captain Chaos (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Politologue (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, effort 2 out, every chance when jinked right and unseated rider before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
