held up in last pair, mistake 11th, headway to chase leading pair approaching next, weakened 3 out, beaten when blundered last
not fluent, held up, driven and behind from 8th tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
disputed lead, slow jump 4th, weakening when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
made most, headed 9th, chased winner after, hit 3 out, lost 2nd soon after, mistake next
chased leaders, driven after 4 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, led 9th, made rest, in command after 2 out, stayed on well
Femme D' Avril can beat the other penalised runner Alfadora, with Monsieur Georges best of the remainder. Although still only a five-year-old, Femme D'Avril has already proved that she has what it takes to make a successful career over fences, having won with a bit more in hand than the official margin perhaps indicates at Hereford last week. There is no doubting the fact that she benefited from the stronger handling of Tony McCoy then, having failed to get up in time at Chepstow previously when partnered by Andrew Glassonbury. The champion is in the plate again here, and the mare should take all the beating. Alfadora drops back in trip, having scored over three miles at Kempton, but should not be inconvenienced at all judged on the way that he travelled. Of more concern is his jumping ability, but apart from that he should give the selection most to do. Monsieur Georges has had a few opportunities to shine without taking them, but remains better treated than over hurdles, so may pick up a race one day. On this occasion though, the selection just has to be Femme D'Avril.
Femme D'avril (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader from 3rd, led 4 out, clear 2 out, eased close home, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb beating Thievery (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Daggy Boy (NZ) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, well behind Eastern Point (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 12-1 (11-9) In touch, hit 6th, jumped slowly 9th (water), stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 13, 8l behind Casalani (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs (5) sft in Feb.
Lorrelini (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Ridden approaching 8th, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 27l behind All Sonsilver (10-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
Major Belle (FR) 15-2 (10-11) In touch, headway and ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 6th of 16, 27l behind Iris's Prince (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Alfadora 10-3 (10-2) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 13th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy beating Mister Apple's (11-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
