chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led after next, ridden and stayed on well flat
with leader, led 8th, headed after 3 out, held flat, kept on
chased leaders, effort 4 out, close 3rd and shaken up after 3 out, no extra when not fluent last
led until 8th, no extra 3 out
held up in last, took keen hold, closed on outside 4th, steadied next, went 4th 4 out until 3 out, no extra
Charmant has struggled so far this season but IBLEO (NAP) has been in cracking form and is probably still progressing given he doesn’t have many miles on the clock. Charlie Deutsch didn’t rush him last time at Sandown and he had more in hand than the official winning margin suggests. The Big Bite has also been lightly raced but is 2-4 over fences. He made a winning reappearance at Aintree in November and was a winner at this track last term. Whoshotthesheriff is probably facing a stiff task for a novice while Little Light wears a visor having a first run since a third at Fontwell in October.
Ibleo (FR) 13-8fav (11-9) Held up and behind, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 3rd before last, went 2nd and switched left run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Paddy's Poem (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Big Bite (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Led until 2nd, prominent, not fluent 3rd, hit 8th, led 3 out, 1 length ahead last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Defi Sacre (11-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
Whoshotthesheriff (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Held up, chased leader 4th, ridden after 4 out, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 22 3/4l behind Malystic (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Charmant (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Well towards rear, hampered 11th, behind from 13th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Yorkhill (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Little Light (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Mid-division, close up 4 out, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Flaminger (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
