tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on and headed towards finish
led, headed before and hit 7th, soon pulled up
in rear and in touch, about 3 lengths down when blundered 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well to lead towards finish
tracked leader, led before 7th, ridden and headed before last, weakened towards finish
Front-runners generally do well here over fences and Marracudja only knows one way of running. But it will be a surprise if he’s not picked off by at least one of three useful rivals in the closing stages. A Hare Breath was well backed at Bangor last month and didn’t disappoint and Forest Bihan comfortably landed the odds at Newcastle after chasing home the useful Waiting Patiently at the same track earlier. The latter is trained by Malcolm Jefferson, who has CLOUDY DREAM in this. The seven-year-old has won over hurdles here and gave supporters of the well-regarded Buveur D’Air a fright last time having won at Carlisle and Haydock before that.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 11-10 (11-6) Chased leader, slightly awkward landing 4 out, switched left before next, led from 2 out, jumped left last, soon headed and not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Buveur D'air (10-12) at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Marracudja (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Led until mistake and headed 3 out, soon no chance with very easy winner, mistake last, 2nd of 4, 18l behind Altior (11-8) at Kempton 2m (1) gd in Dec.
Forest Bihan (FR) 1-2fav (11-6) In rear and tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from halfway, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Chidswell (11-0) by 19l, 3 ran.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Went left and mistake 1st, in touch on outer, went 2nd 4 out, upsides 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Gala Ball (10-13) by 5l, 7 ran.
