towards rear, went 3rd after 9th, chased leader omitted 4 out, not fluent 3 out, ridden before last, ran on, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out where not fluent, ridden and held 2 out
led, headed narrowly after 3rd, pushed along and lost ground omitted 4 out, soon beaten
handy, jumped well, led narrowly after 3rd, pushed along and forged clear after 2 out, ridden run-in and stayed on strongly, readily
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, pushed along before 3 out where not fluent, soon weakened
in rear, hit 7th, ridden and dropped away omitted 4 out
An Marcach is only 1-17 over fences but En Coeur has won three times over the larger obstacles and is often placed. HARLEM SOUL (NAP) was a revelation at Wincanton last Thursday when tackling fences for the first time. He probably didn’t beat much but must be given the chance to defy a penalty. The second has franked the form of Forward Plan’s win over hurdles here last month and the top weight should make a chaser with Hipop Des Ongrais preferred to Master Blaze of the others.
Forward Plan (IRE) 6-5fav (11-11) In rear, smooth headway 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on towards finish, always doing enough, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Bobo Mac (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Harlem Soul 25-1 (11-10) Jumped left throughout, tracked leaders out wide, led before 3 out, soon pushed along and went few lengths clear, kept on well flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Dock Road (11-8) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
An Marcach (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd after 5th until led after 4 out, headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, weakened run-in, 3rd of 9, 20 3/4l behind Coolvalla (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Hipop Des Ongrais (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Jumped left and not fluent at times, chased leader until pushed along home turn, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, dist behind Walk In The Wild (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
En Coeur (FR) 11-4fav (11-3) Towards rear, went 4th after 9th, left in 3rd 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Sublime Heights (12-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Master Blaze (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Held up in last trio, hit 7th, never on terms, 5th of 7, 22l behind Walk In The Wild (11-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
