prominent, ridden 10f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off
mid-division, took keen hold, headway 12f out, soon went 2nd, ridden over 4f out, no impression on winner over 2f out, 3rd and one pace over 1f out
mid-division, headway 10f out, led 4f out, clear over 2f out, easily
mid-division, took keen hold, struggling final 9f, tailed off
prominent, 3rd and ridden 3f out, no chance with winner final 2f, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, carried wide and stumbled after about 2f, well beaten final 7f, tailed off
towards rear, not much room and stumbled after about 2f, headway 6f out, went 4th over 1f out, no impression
led, took keen hold, headed 4f out, weakened 2f out
always in rear, tailed off final 6f
not much room and stumbled just after start, held up, not much room after about 2f, closed on outside 10f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened 8f out, tailed off 6f out, pulled up after
Bacchanel has yet to finish out of the frame in three starts but his form is nothing special. Of more interest are ex-pointers Big Meadow and STARLIGHT COURT. The former won at Maralin in November but the latter would have skated up at Borris House a month later had he not fallen at the last and can put his experience to good use today. Geordie Des Champs is jumps bred and should be monitored for future reference while Francophile is by Sea The Stars so shouldn't be short of pace.
Armement (FR) 100-1 (11-4) In rear, struggling after 4f, soon tailed off, last of 10, dist behind High Bridge (11-4) at Huntingdon 1m 6f mdn (6) gs in Nov.
Bacchanel (FR) 2-1jfav (11-5) Held up in touch and keen, soon chased winner, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on and well held inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Gayebury (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (6) hvy in Jan.
Big Meadow (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Mid div, impr 4th 4out, trvl strongly bef 2 out to ld, jnd bef last where better jump, sow gamely, won at Maralin 3m mdn hvy in Nov beating Reigning Supreme (11-10) by 2l, 12 ran.
Courting Harry Lucarno gelding out of Harry's Bride.
Geordie Des Champs (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Kilcoleman Lady.
Let's Tango (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Miss Ogan.
Muffins For Tea 28-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 5f out, never on terms, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Pride Of Lecale (11-3) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Starlight Court (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Rr of mid div, jmpd well, prog to mid div 6th, 4th 1/2way, wo appr 4out, 5l adv apr str, in command when fell last, at Borris House 3m mdn sft in Dec.
Surfing The Stars (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened halfway, 9th of 14, dist behind Penn Lane (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) hvy in Nov.
Francophile (FR) Sea The Stars gelding out of Empress Of France.
Lure Des Pres (IRE) Robin Des Pres gelding out of Pinkeen Lady.