prominent, ridden 4th, one pace from 2 out
led, ridden and quickened approaching 2 out, ran on well from last
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened 4th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4th
in touch, headway and chased leader after 3 out, ridden and went 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden after 4th, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, jumped left 1st, weakened 4th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden after 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up last, headway after 3 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, ridden 4th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway and chased leader after 4th, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 1st, ridden and some headway after 3 out, one pace
chased leader, ridden along from 4th, kept on one pace from 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 4th, no impression
always towards rear, no impression
A classy contest can go to Paul Nicholls' Predateur, with Monfils Monfils, Osana and Habanero just three others with leading claims. Mr Nicholls rules the roost here and his four-year-old looks a horse with a very bright future (Supreme Novices' and Triumph Hurdle entries). The form of his last run behind Katchit is way above the form of anything else in this contest, and with an explosive turn of foot, he should be able to take this easier contest today. Monfils Monfils represents Nicky Henderson who has a fine record with his hurdlers at the track, however his charge may just struggle to concede 9lbs to the selection. However he certainly has place claims, along with Habanero who was a good second last time out over course and distance. His stable are suffering a slight dip at the moment though so we will oppose him today, along with stablemate Ouzbeck. Junior has finished runner-up on his two runs over hurdles so far and again has place claims, but for the winner we will confidently return to Predateur.
Monfils Monfils (USA) Evensfav (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Le Burf (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Osana (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace from last, 4th of 11, 11l behind Wichita Lineman (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Entailment 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 9th of 14, 33l behind Lead On (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Habanero 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, close up when left 2nd at the last, no extra, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Loriko d'Airy (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, jumped right, led after 1st, headed after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 25l behind Aspra (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Aug '05.
New Realm (USA) 50-1 (9-3) Mid-division, weakened quickly 2f out, tailed off, last of 15, 49l behind Mr Aitch (9-3) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (5) frm in Sept '05 (Flat).
Ouzbeck (FR) Denham Red gelding, half-brother to French 1m3f/2m4f cross-country winner Grognard du Bosc.
Primed Up (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, no impression, 8th of 13, well behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Rash Talk (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Never fluent, in rear, tailed off from 5th, 18th of 21, well behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Rinty (NZ) 40-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 14, 14l behind Nawaadi (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Song of Songs 6-4fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 19, 5l behind Perle d'Or (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul '05 (Flat).
Willing Weasel (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 20l behind Appleaday (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Predateur (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, headway on long run before last, disputing 3rd and one pace when hit last, 4th of 8, 5l behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Country Escape 33-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 27l behind Lead On (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Junior 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, chased winner from 3 out, always held, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Punjabi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Manathon (FR) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mous Of Men (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 15, 37l behind Punjabi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Gracechurch (IRE) 5-6fav (10-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed to challenge last, soon led, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Cosmologist (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
