held up, headway 9th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 10th, headed after 11th, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, ran on under pressure to lead last
held up, reminders and ridden from 7th, kept on for poor 3rd
prominent, jumped slowly 6th, lost place 9th, mistake 11th, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 10th, led again after 11th, headed 4 out, led again 2 out, headed last and no extra
held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, weakened 4 out
There isn't much between the penalised runners on official ratings but OR JAUNE had the measure of Oracle Des Mottes when they clashed at Kempton and the same result is anticipated today. Although he is 4lbs worse off at today's weights, Gary Moore's progressive gelding is fancied to complete his hat-trick. The drop in trip is offset by the more stamina-sapping track and another big effort looks on the cards. Oracle Des Mottes like this track but his profile is frustrating for win-backers and he was made to look distinctly moderate last time. Oscar Bay is another course and distance winner and he represents a stable in very good form. His recent win at Stratford was a taking performance and his earlier placed form reads well. The application of various headgear might suggest that he is not the most straight-forward but the blinkers seemed to have worked and he rates a threat. The other three look to be up against it, although it wouldn't be the biggest surprise for the well-related Lethal Gun to improve for the switch to fences. Or Jaune is selected with plenty of confidence.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 15-8 (11-8) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, always held, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Or Jaune (11-4) at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Or Jaune (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 10th, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating Oracle des Mottes (11-8) by 7l, 3 ran.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Made virtually all, hung left throughout, jumped slowly 4th, ran on approaching last, won at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd beating Crescent Island (11-4) by 10l, 4 ran.
Lethal Gun (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballykelly (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in May, 13 ran.
Manmoon (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, pulled up approaching 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 20 ran.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 50-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, jumped right 1st, well behind 8th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 17l behind Battlefield (10-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
