towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out, led last, kept on well
tracked leader, led before 3 out, headed last, kept on
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
mid-division, ridden before 2 out, in 4th and one pace before last
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
CHARMANT had been threatening to win for a while before getting off the mark with a very smooth victory at Sedgefield. He's been put up 8lb but can make further progress so gets the vote. Echo Express beat three rivals in a Doncaster bumper in March and showed plenty of potential in two starts over timber. He makes his handicap debut and should get into contention but Irish raider Backinthesaddle generally races over much further so may find this a bit sharp. Dulce Panem showed some potential in France without winning and made a reasonable debut for new connections at Carlisle but disappointed at Catterick last month.
Charmant (FR) 11-4fav (12-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led on bit approaching last, shaken up, ran on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Hit And Run (11-12) by 5l, 8 ran.
Glingerside (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Towards rear, tailed off when mistake 7th, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Echo Express (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Led until ridden and headed on long run before last, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Aniknam (FR) 14-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, weakened after 7th, 6th of 7, dist behind One For Harry (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Dulce Panem (FR) 9-2 (11-8) In rear, pushed along 4 out and outpaced, 4th of 9, 27l behind Romulus Du Donjon (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Backinthesaddle (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Led and disputed, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Aa Bee See (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Our Lucas (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, 32 1/4l behind Oishin (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Why But Why (USA) 80-1 (10-8) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, (omitted last hurdle), 14th of 16, dist behind Lucarno Dancer (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
