Snowed In won this last year and loves it here but was beaten more than 10 lengths by fellow veteran The Herds Garden over track and trip at the start of the month. Donald McCain also runs Carlisle runner-up Nefyn Point and Set In Stone proved her well-being with a victory in a jumpers’ bumper at Newcastle last week. FLAMBOYANT JOYAUX was second over fences here last month racing off today’s mark. Only a pound higher than winning over hurdles at Wetherby just over a year ago, Sue Smith’s gelding looks the one to be on in this.
Hereia (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leader, led 2nd, dived and unseated rider 5th, at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
The Herds Garden 11-1 (11-10) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out, travelled well into lead 2 out, ridden and went clear last, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Aronius (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Frightened Rabbit (USA) 7-1 (11-7) Left in lead 1st, headed before mistake 3 out, weakened from next, 7th of 10, 29l behind Blooriedotcom (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Flamboyant Joyaux (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, pressed leader before 3 out, lost position before 2 out, third at last, rallied on run-in but no match for easy winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Discko Des Plages (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Drumochter 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway after omitted 2 out, soon chasing leaders, hit last, never a threat, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Derriana Spirit (10-10) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Nefyn Point 10-1 (11-4) In rear, rapid headway travelling strongly before 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, almost upsides under pressure last, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Applaus (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Set In Stone (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway when not much room over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan beating Billy Bathgate (11-5) by nk, 11 ran.
Velkera (IRE) 125-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along after 6th, behind from 3 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Snowed In (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Prominent, joined leader 3 out, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 4th of 13, 10 3/4l behind The Herds Garden (11-10) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
