pulled hard and held up towards rear, weakened 5th, tailed off
prominent, ridden and chased winner 3 out, jumped right 2 out, ran on well and every chance flat, just failed
pulled early, held up, towards rear, mistake 4th, weakened 6th
held up, mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, switched left soon after, ran on flat, not reached leaders
held up, behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased leading group 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and left 3rd 3 out, kept on one pace
prominent, chased leader 4th, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
ridden and lost touch 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
made all, ridden approaching 3 out, hard ridden and ran on gamely from last, all out
held up, towards rear, hit 5th, headway after 6th, in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out
Fleurette is a far from confident choice ahead of Coustou, Orion Express and Olimpo in this modest contest. Olimpo would have been a more solid option but for his patchy record over timber. He has the capabilities to win a race at this level but can never be relied upon for win only purposes. Orion Express is given a mention as he has a consistent, if unspectacular profile. He will go close if he handles the ground. Coustou has been a darling for each-way thieves and can at least be relied upon to give his all. Again, winning doesn't come as a natural instinct to him, so a cautious approach is advised where he is concerned - especially on this testing going. Therefore, we prefer to go with Fleurette, who has winning form on heavy ground and has dropped several hints that her turn is not too far away. Tom Doyle has been riding with a zest since his return from injury and it is a confidence booster knowing that he is sure to give the selection every assistance form the saddle.
Oxybau (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Behind, some late headway from 3 out, never a threat, 6th of 15, 42l behind Sabina Park (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gd in Sept.
Devito (FR) 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, lost place approaching 2nd, ridden, headway after 4th, left 4th 3 out, one pace after, 5th of 13, 16l behind Private Be (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Orion Express 3-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, no extra, 7th of 10, 15l behind Figaro du Rocher (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Fleurette 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, reminders and headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 10, 38l behind Ice Bucket (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Picot de Say 33-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 44l behind Private Be (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Signature Tune (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In touch until dropped rear 2nd, stayed on again from 3 out, 4th of 13, 16l behind Private Be (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Kenwyn 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never a danger, 9th of 21, 27l behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Coustou (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 7th, never a threat, 9th of 10, well behind Armariver (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Brave Jo (FR) 10-3 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, outpaced next, stayed on again approaching last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Hereditary (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Olimpo (FR) 11-10fav (10-7) In touch when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Slick (10-13) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
