chased leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd approaching 4 out, no chance with winner, soon remote
chased leaders, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent and struggling 3rd, well behind when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next
took keen hold, led, not fluent 1st, headed 3rd, reminder after next, weakened before 4 out, soon very remote in 3rd, unseated rider last
pressed leader, led 3rd, clear 4 out, continued to increase advantage, steadied into last, easily
Pemba was third at Auteuil in March and then only found one too good when favourite on her UK debut at Ludlow. But that form is nothing special and she may be worth opposing here at the likely odds. LIVE MIRACLE beat a very short-priced favourite in a minor contest in France in June and Venetia Williams has done well with similar types in the past. The Falco filly gets the nod to make a winning start over hurdles with fellow newcomer Krafty One possibly best of the rest.
Grisedenuit (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Leicester 2m fll (4) gs in Nov.
Krafty One 12-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Innish Man (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Old Fashion 100-1 (10-5) In touch, weakened from 5 out, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Pemba (FR) 6-4fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner from last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Chic Name (10-12) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Live Miracle (USA) (8-12) won at Lyon-Parilly 1m 3f mdn stks gd in Jun beating Ashira (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Synoptic Dream (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Keen in mid-division, ridden and no progress final 2f, 9th of 11, 12 1/2l behind On The Cusp (9-8) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
