took keen hold, in touch from 3rd, rider lost iron when weakening approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until 4th, tracked leader, led 11th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up and behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and beaten before last, one pace
in touch, raced keenly, challenged 2 out, hanging left before last, one pace flat
chased leader blundered 3rd led 4th, mistake 10th, headed 11th, weakened 3 out
always behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, went 2nd 4 out, narrow lead 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
JUST SMUDGE is just the highest rated for this novice event and with some solid form supporting his cause he should score with Double The Trouble and Or d'Oudairies rated as the dangers. The pick's last couple of results are better than the bare form suggests and this is his easiest assignment since winning three starts ago. Slightly more useful over two miles he won't want the ground any quicker but with the form lines bound to work out nicely from his last two starts he should go well. Double The Trouble has just the two pound to find on the selection according to the official ratings and was an easy winner of a weaker novice last time out. The ground looks ideal for this one who has some good looking form from his penultimate start. Or d'Oudairies took advantage of being well treated in a novice handicap to run out a comfortable winner two starts ago on his only visit here. That was followed by a disappointing effort in a similar race to this last time but a repeat of his best has him in close proximity. Soubriquet was successful in destroying a weak field in one of these races last time but that form looks poor while his stamina for this trip is not proven so instead we like the look of Just Smudge.
Double The Trouble 3-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 6th, led 9th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Golden Child (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Just Smudge 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, mistake 3rd, blundered 8th, weakened 12th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Mar.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, behind, headway 3 out, ridden, every chance flat, just failed, 2nd of 12, nk behind Milton Des Bieffes (9-11) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 11l behind Watch My Back (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Our Jim 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden from 9th, beaten from 3 out, 5th of 12, 31l behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Smiling Applause 18-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rival Bidder (10-13) at Southwell 3m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Soubriquet (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear from next, won at Carlisle 2m nov stks (4) gd beating General Ledger (10-12) by 12l, 5 ran.
