made all, mistake 9th, hung left flat, driven out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, mistake 9th, ridden and every chance last, no extra towards finish
held up, pecked 11th, headway and mistake 2 out, not fluent last, soon ridden, ran on towards finish
In an interesting event, Bannow Strand gets the nod over Supreme Serenade. Much as Bannow Strand was slightly disappointing at this track last time, that run came only six days after a very good Cheltenham win and he can make amends today. A 125-rated winning hurdler at Grade 3 level, Supreme Serenade looks to be getting the hang of things over fences now, judged by her Exeter win, and she rates a big danger. Without A Doubt earned a rating in the 120s over hurdles and has displayed good chasing form to date, so is respected, while, as an Auteuil winner who was set a very stiff task in a race won by The Listener on his British debut, Turthen should be able to win races. With Jerom de Vindecy hard to fancy, we return to the selection, which is Bannow Strand.
Bannow Strand (IRE) 4-7fav (10-6) In touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Island Faith (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov.
Without A Doubt 9-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, mistake 8th, ridden 11th, soon struggling, went moderate 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Albuhera (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Turthen (FR) 3-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, left clear 2nd 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 4th of 7, 29l behind The Listener (11-10) at Windsor 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Supreme Serenade (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) In touch, led on bit 3 out, going well when left clear last, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (E) gs in Dec beating Horcott Bay (11-3) by 10l, 8 ran.
Jerom de Vindecy (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along 5 out, outpaced from next, last of 6, 31l behind Coat of Honour (11-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (D) sft in Dec.
