Mount Mews made a winning start over hurdles at Kelso earlier this month when beating a previous winner with the rest in another parish. He’ll make a bold bid to defy his penalty and is preferred to Stowaway Magic, beaten at Plumpton after an earlier victory at Warwick. DU SOLEIL had plenty of entries this week so it’s significant that he’s coming back to the track at which he made a successful start to his career in a bumper. He’s bred for jumping and could be a nice prospect. Cake de L'Isle didn’t show much on debut and may need more time.
Mount Mews (IRE) 8-15fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Sam Spinner (11-5) by 4l, 14 ran.
Stowaway Magic (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd before next, 2nd last, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind No Comment (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Cake de L'Isle (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Benechenko (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Du Soleil (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Close up, tracked leader 12f out, led over 3f out, soon clear, kept up to work final furlong, won at Haydock 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Crackdeloust (11-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Grand Coureur (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Blundered and rider lost iron briefly 1st, tracked leaders, outpaaced 4 out, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off, 7th of 15, dist behind Geordie Des Champs (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Spirit Of Hale (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
