tracked leader, ridden when switched right approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, driven narrowly ahead as leader hung badly final 180 yards, just held on, all out
led, hit 4th and 3 out, hanging left approaching 2 out, narrowly ahead when continued to hang badly left after last, narrowly headed final 180 yards, rallied close home, just failed, not recover
last pair, pushed along before 3rd, outpaced 6th, no chance after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leading pair, disputing close 2nd after 3 out until ridden before next, soon no chance with leading duo
took keen hold, held up in last pair, tracked leading trio after 2nd, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced and no chance after
This company may be too tough for the maiden High Storm, while Magnifique Etoile probably needs to step up again on wins at Stratford and Bangor if he's to get competitive at this level. This also looks a big ask for French import Captain Conan on his UK debut as he hasn't raced since last summer, though Nicky Henderson clearly rates him highly. PROSPECT WELLS ran well at the weights in a Listed handicap at Ascot last month and his earlier defeat of All The Aces at Newbury has been franked. He is fancied to return to winning ways here as he may stay on too strongly up the hill for the front-running Chepstow and Newbury winner Colour Squadron.
Captain Conan (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Jun beating Rhonaldino (10-3) by 15l, 16 ran.
Colour Squadron (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 4th, jumped left 2 out, driven when pressed last, wandered final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Montbazon (11-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
High Storm (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, effort to lead betwen last 2, headed narrowly last, ridden to regain lead flat, kept on under pressure, headed narrowly towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, ns behind Darlan (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Dec.
Magnifique Etoile 5-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, left 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Amron Lad (10-12) by 12l, 14 ran.
Prospect Wells (FR) 11-4fav (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace, 4th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
