led, pushed along and joined bypassing omitted 4 out, ridden and headed before omitted next, soon outpaced, rallied and closer towards finish, always held
always last, outpaced when jumped slowly 5th, bit closer briefly 6th, ridden and beaten home turn, tailed off
tracked leader, led bypassing omitted 3 out, soon clear, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough
tracked leading pair, outpaced at 4th, rallied after 6th, pushed along and outpaced again 4 out
Eden Du Houx went up 5lb for winning at Ffos Las in November but did beat a couple of subsequent winners that day and wind surgery looks to have solved any issues. FRENCHY DU LARGE has more scope, however, after getting off the mark over fences at Uttoxeter last month with plenty in hand. Farne made an encouraging start over the larger obstacles behind The Glancing Queen at Warwick and is a likely improver but Firak jumped poorly on his only previous try over fences.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, headway 4 out and soon challenging, led over 3 out, ridden over 2 out, ran on well from before last, reduced lead closing stages but always holding on, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating One True King (10-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Farne (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Slightly hampered 1st, held up towards rear, headway on inside approaching 2 out, went 3rd run-in, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 9 1/4l behind The Glancing Queen (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Frenchy Du Large (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, made headway to join leaders before 3 out, ridden to lead before 2 out, mistake at last fence, won easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Keep Rolling (11-8) by 5l, 10 ran.
Firak (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Off the pace towards rear, bumped 4th, never a factor, 7th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Green Book (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
