tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 2 out, clear last, easily
led, not always fluent, mistake and headed 2 out, soon beaten
behind, mistake 1st, not fluent next, well behind from 6th, blundered 3 out
held up in 4th, behind from 6th, lost remote 4th before 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leader until 6th, soon ridden along briefly, 3rd and well held from 2 out
raced in 5th, ridden and behind before 6th, went remote 4th before 2 out
This should be interesting between Dieg Man and FREE RANGE and it could come down to tactics. The former was purchased by J P McManus for 200,000 euros at Argana after winning a four-year-old handicap at Auteuil in June and will be expected to start paying his way though it's Dan Skelton's charge, a dual winner between the flags and impressive on his hurdling bow at Fakenham, who could come out on top this time. The remainder look as though they are playing for place money with winning point-to-pointer Western Morning possibly the pick despite a poor hurdling debut.
Dieg Man (FR) (10-1) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp gd in Jun beating Doujani (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
Free Range (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Made virtually all, not fluent 5th, ridden before 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Atlantic Grey (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Charin' Cross 200-1 (10-12) In rear when bumped 1st, ridden and weakened between 3 out and 2 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Donna's Delight (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Oct.
Pc Dixon 250-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Jassas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Secret Passenger (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along 6th, lost place next, weakened between 3 out and 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Donna's Delight (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Oct.
Once An Angel (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 10, dist behind Mary Eleanor (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Royal Summit 25-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, soon eased, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Mighty Thunder (10-11) at Perth 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Western Morning (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Polydora (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
