led 1st until 3rd, led 7th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well
held up, mistake 4th, headway on outside 11th, not fluent next, soon outpaced, well held when left 3rd 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, blundered 2nd, closed 9th, pressing for 2nd and 2 lengths off leader when fell 3 out
led until 1st, led 3rd, headed 7th, jumped left 10th, weakened 12th
tracked leaders, hampered 10th, went 2nd 12th, not fluent 3 out, 1 length down 2 out, held flat, stayed on same pace
Mighty Cliche makes a quick reappearance after a fair effort over hurdles at Wetherby on Tuesday and is on a 5lb lower mark. Present Lodger hasn't shown much to date, though at least the assessor has relaxed his grip a little. LE GRAND CHENE isn't the most consistent but has a good chance to add to his five chase victories so far as he's only 4lb higher than his victory at Towcester in November. Marlee Mourinho ran easily his best race to date when runner-up to Boric at Newcastle and it wouldn't take much more to be involved here but Samson Collonges arrives out of form and is better over further.
Present Lodger (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, tracked leaders 10th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 28l behind Notonebuttwo (9-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Le Grand Chene (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, challenged 9th, lost 2nd 3 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 13l behind Crescent Beach (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Marlee Mourinho (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) In rear, headway before 9th, ridden before 4 out, chased winner after last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Boric (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft.
Samson Collonges (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up, jumped left at times, struggling from 11th, well beaten when taking 4th before 2 out, 4th of 6, 29l behind Jolly Boys Outing (9-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Mighty Cliche (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Rayadour (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
