held up in 4th, headway to chase leader going well approaching 2 out, led before last and went clear, kept on, not extended
prominent, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 2 out
led, ridden and headed before last, gradually weakened
towards rear, not fluent 1st, ridden before 3 out, soon tailed off quickly
in rear, in touch, pushed along after 3 out, not fluent in 4th 2 out, soon ridden and chased winner run-in, always well held
EPATANTE should find this rather less daunting than chasing home stablemate Constitution Hill in Grade 1's at Newcastle and Kempton. The 2020 champion hurdler and seven-times Grade 1 winner is still a very high-class hurdler and should have no problems seeing these rivals off before heading for Cheltenham. Martello Sky is a smart performer at Listed level who has won half of her 16 races and looks the one to take advantage if the selection has an unlikely off-day. Finest View completed a four-timer in minor company but has changed yards after a moderate run in a Class 2 handicap at Cartmel while Galice Macalo had been chasing before easily landing a Class 4 handicap over timber at Chepstow.
Epatante (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in 5th, smooth headway into 3rd 4 out, went 2nd turning in, ridden and no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Martello Sky 10-3 (11-8) Tracked leader who went clear after 1st, lost 2nd at 4th, reminder after 3 out, went 2nd again home turn, pushed along and four lengths down 2 out, plugged on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind Love Envoi (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Finest View 11-2 (11-8) Front mid-division, pushed along and headway before last, ridden and no impression run-in, 4th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Island Mahee (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Galice Macalo (FR) 3-1fav (12-2) Led and jumped big 1st, narrowly headed before next, in front again but pressed from 3rd, went clear between last two, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Progressive (11-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
Peltwell (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Towards rear, mistake 8th, dropped to rear before 4 out, well beaten when pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Salsada (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Dancing Harry (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
