tracked leaders, went 2nd before 5th, ridden to lead before last, kept on, driven out
in rear, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear and in touch, headway 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened before 2 out
held up behind and in touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon went 3rd, one pace
led, ran wide paddock bend, soon reminders and pushed along, ridden before 3 out, headed before last, kept on
tracked leader to before 5th, weakened after 4 out
Melodic Rendezvous was conceding 13lb to Rayvin Black when beaten 17 lengths by that one in a handicap at Sandown at the start of the month but there should be little between the pair off level weights today. The latter won this in 2014 but probably hasn't run up to that form since. THE NEW ONE had to be hard ridden to land this 12 months ago but should again beat third Strongpoint on identical terms. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge isn't far off the best hurdlers around and a follow up looks likely following his latest second to Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Captain Conan was highly regarded at one stage but has a very long absence to overcome.
The New One (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, ridden when jumped right and hit 2 out, and last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Faugheen (11-7) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Fou Et Sage (FR) 25-1 (11-1) In rear and in touch, blundered 2 out, ridden before last, one pace and no impression, last of 4, 11 1/2l behind Irving (11-3) at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Captain Conan (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, soon not going well, pulled up before 7th, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.
Melodic Rendezvous 5-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten next, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 11, 17l behind Rayvin Black (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Rayvin Black 10-1 (10-13) Led into start, led, headed after 3 out, regained lead 2 out, stayed on gamely, clear final 100 yards, won at Sandown 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Sirop De Menthe (10-4) by 5l, 11 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Prominent, effort 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
