held up towards rear, headway 6th, not fluent 7th, went 3rd 4 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, never going well, not fluent 3rd, behind next, pulled up after 5th
mid-division, headway on inside 7th, weakened 3 out
in rear, not fluent 1st, jumped right 6th, behind before 5 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, ridden after 7th, struggling 5 out, well beaten when fell 3 out
led until after 1st, 2nd until before next, went 2nd again after 5th, no impression on winner from 3 out, kept on
chased leaders, went 2nd before 2nd, led 5 out, clear 3 out, stayed on
led after 1st, headed 5 out, weakening when blundered 3 out
Le Coeur Net is on a decent mark nowadays but finished well beaten on his belated reappearance. Billingsley is thrown in on past form and could be suited by a drop back in distance but he appears to have the lost the plot while three-times hurdles winner Le Ligerien just hasn’t taken to fences. Early Du Lemo made several mistakes before finally coming to grief at Newbury and may be in need of a confidence-booster. Gingembre Menthe had been headed when coming down after jumping three out in the race won by GALOP DE CHASSE at Lingfield. He is 9lb better off with the winner but Venetia Williams’ charge looked one to follow that day and can win again. Can You Call is another who failed to complete last time but he should have more to offer.
Can You Call 7-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when fell 2 out, at Hereford 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Galop De Chasse (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in last, headway over 3 out, closed in 2nd over 2 out, led under 2 out, extended advantage flat and well on top closing stages, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Golden Boy Grey (11-10) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
Early Du Lemo (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in last trio, hit 4th, not fluent 6th, in 6th place when fell 4 out, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gingembre Menthe (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Led and jumped right, headed well over 3 out, close up when stumbled on landing and fell 3 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Le Coeur Net (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, last of 4, 24 1/4l behind Doukarov (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Rose Sea Has (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Led, hit 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 20 1/2l behind Mix Of Clover (11-9) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Le Ligerien (FR) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 6th, bad mistake 5 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Dr Sanderson (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Billingsley (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Prominent and headed at 3 out, kept on after 2 out, weakened after final fence, 6th of 10, 32l behind Frenchy Du Large (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
