COUGAR’S GOLD has the best proven form over fences having won either side of a narrow-margin defeat over these obstacles. All ground comes alike to Peter Bowen’s charge and he’s taken to defy a 4lb rise for last month’s success at Chepstow. Radical Archie missed out on a hat-trick over hurdles when finding one too good at Chepstow and debuts over fences along with Saintemilion, who has had just the two starts over timber since joining Paul Nicholls, but Waterloo Warrior has placed over the larger obstacles in the past. Camron De Chaillac finished closer without threatening last time and a tongue-tie is applied to Bee Crossing for her chasing bow.
Saintemilion (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Always last, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Zero Grand (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake and behind 10th, tailed off 12th, pulled up after, at Chepstow 3m (3) gs in Jan.
Radical Archie 3-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed and dropped to 3rd soon after 3 out, plugged on and went 2nd again towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8l behind The Gipper (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Inaminna (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 13th until after next, chased leading pair, pushed along in well held 4th when hung right and hit 3 out, weakened and mistake next, 5th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Plantagenet (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Bee Crossing 9-4 (10-12) Led, joined 2 out (usual 4 out), ridden and headed after last (usual 3 out), soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Peters Cousin (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Camron De Chaillac (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 10th, headed after 13th, no extra flat, 7th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Church Hall (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Waterloo Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Slow and ridden along in rear from 1st, very modest 8th 3 out, 7th of 16, dist behind Samburu Shujaa (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Cougar's Gold (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Mostly jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, hit next and 2 out, good jump to assert and went right last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Mahlermade (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Flight To Milan (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Raced keenly, jumped left, chased leaders, went left and weakened 6th, tailed off and went left final 3, last of 6, 36l behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
