held up mid-division, joined leaders 5th, not fluent 4 out, soon weakened
weakened 3 out
led, blundered 2nd, headed 6 out, led again 2 out, driven out
tracked leader, led 6 out, headed 2 out, kept on
held up, blundered 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 7th, blundered 5 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, stumbled badly 1st, dropped to rear, headway 5 out, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leading pair approaching 3 out, soon weakened, jumped left last
SAPHIR DES BOIS is the selection with Sovereign King and Just Smudge also subjects for consideration. Jonjo O'Neill's runner doesn't look to be any superstar but he produced an entirely competent display at Wincanton and with the handicapper allocating him a realistic mark, there is every reason to believe that he can be in a position to exploit it. Sovereign King accounted for Phardessa at Plumpton. That mare was a fairly ordinary conveyance over hurdles so it is impossible to realistically equate how good that form is. Just Smudge bids for a hatrick this afternoon. He won well at Doncaster last time out and is the sort that Venetia Williams tends to do well with. The Vicar is capable though has appeared none-too-resolute in the past. Sa Suffit took a heavy fall seven days ago but he still galloped around the course riderless so cannot have been too badly affected for it. Grand Bleu could be anything so the market has to be watched accordingly. Amble Forge has been a credit to Colin Tizzard this season but the suspicion is that he might be better over shorter than this trip. Saphir Des Bois has lots to like about him and is therefore the percentage call.
Grand Bleu (IRE) (11-0) Tailed off halway when pulled up in race won by Arctic Farandol (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 5f ch gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Sovereign King 8-11fav (11-0) Jumped well, soon pressed leader, led 4 out, quickened tempo from next, in command before last, readily, won at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft in Dec beating Phardessa (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
The Vicar (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 2 out, switched right between last 2, 2 lengths down and looking held when blundered last, not recover, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Ring The Boss (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Sa Suffit (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Pressed winner when fell at the 3rd in race won by Silver By Nature (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft, 5 ran.
Saphir Des Bois (FR) 7-2 (10-8) Chased leader, left in lead 2nd, hit 11th, mistake 4 out, quickened approaching 2 out, soon clear, eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan beating Sharajan (10-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Bougoure (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, headway to join leader 10th, led before 3 out, hit last, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 8, 8l behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.
Just Smudge 7-4fav (12-1) Prominent, led after 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Supreme's Legacy (11-3) by 7l, 15 ran.
Amble Forge (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, raced keenly, went 2nd approaching 5th, led 3 out, in command 2 out, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan beating Mongorno (11-2) by 4l, 8 ran.
