travelled strongly tracking leaders, going easily 2 out, shaken up next, ridden along and kept on flat, not pace of winner
held up in rear, never dangerous
towards rear early, headway into mid-division after 4th, pushed along after 3 out, edged left under pressure from 2 out, ran on into third closing stages
mid-division, switched left approaching 3 out, hampered rival when ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well
held up in rear of mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, hampered by faller and unseated rider after 2 out
led, ridden along and headed 3 out, short of room 2 out when hampered and fell
close up, led 3 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on same pace from 2 out, lost third closing stages
in rear, steady headway out wide rounding home turn, soon driven along, weakened
prominent, ridden along after 4 out, soon no extra, faded from 2 out
ARCLIGHT is another graduate of the Sir Mark Prescott academy and she’s repaid the faith of new connections with two victories since joining Nicky Henderson. She's re-opposed by Greyval but it will be some effort for Fergal O’Brien’s filly to reverse the form of their meeting here last year. The Irish contingent include Calico, who has to be respected given she’s placed in Listed company at Aintree, while Komedy Kicks is a rare Jessica Harrington runner over hurdles at Doncaster and Libby represents Joseph O'Brien.
Arclight 8-15fav (11-5) Bit keen at times, made all, left in clear lead 1st, mostly clear after, distracted by loose horse 3rd, not fluent 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m fll (4) sft in Jan beating Virtuoso (10-12) by dist, 4 ran.
Calico (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Close up, 2nd after 3rd, closed 4 out, led after 4 out, asserted 2 out, ridden before last where slow jump and reduced advantage, headed closing stages, soon weakened in 3rd, 3rd of 21, 7 1/4l behind Metamorpheus (11-7) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Cianciana 2-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 1st, closed 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, clear flat, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Hidalgo De L'isle (11-10) by 7 1/2l, 9 ran.
Greyval (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Towards rear, in touch, headway after 4 out, tracked leader home turn, led 2 out, hung right approaching last, pushed along and headed 1f out on run-in, kept on but always held, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Arclight (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) gd in Dec.
Inspiratrice (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway before 3 out and went 4th home turn, shaken up and led 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Fourofakind (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Komedy Kicks (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Disputed lead when jumped left 1st, tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, 6th halfway, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, no impression before last, ridden and kept on well run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Jazzy Matty (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Libby (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, 5th after 2 out, ridden and no impression when switched right before last, 6th when mistake last, kept on one pace, 4th post, 4th of 20, 5 1/2l behind Sir Allen (11-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Marshella (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Prominent, dropped to midfield 6th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Regally Blonde 11-4 (10-12) Tracking winner when jinked right and unseated rider 1st, at Kempton 2m fll (4) sft in Jan.
Naeva (FR) (11-4) 2nd of 13, 12l behind Sniper Point (11-2) at Cagnes-sur-Mer 2m 1f hvy in Jan.
