always prominent, bumped 1st, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, ran on well to draw clear flat
led, ridden and headed approaching last, soon one pace
held up, bumped 1st, behind when not fluent 5th
always behind, struggling after 4th, jumped right 5th, tailed off
chased leader to 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 4th, soon lost place, no danger after
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden to go 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression, mistake last
mid-division, effort 5th, weakened 3 out
handy, shaken up 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
hit 4th, always in rear
held up, struggling 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, bumped 1st, never dangerous
bumped 1st, soon in touch, weakened 3 out, jumped left 2 out, blundered badly last
mid-division, struggling approaching 3 out
Kid Charlemagne is given the nod ahead of Sergheyev and Dereks. The selection, unbeaten in bumpers, was a warm order to maintain his winning streak on his hurdling bow but something was clearly amiss as he weakened quickly before being pulled up. That has to be a concern but he's been given a Cheltenham entry and is worth another chance. Sergheyev is another talented bumper performer with something to prove. He has raced as though something were amiss this term and has left David Pipe since his last outing; the market should prove informative. Arctic Magic should be capable of better, Pickamus and Blackthorn Boy should pick up races but Dereks is of more interest. He takes a marked drop in trip today but that may well suit this keen running sort who has plenty of natural ability. Keep an eye on him but back Kid Charlemagne to take the honours.
Blackthorn Boy (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Prominent, ridden and hampered bend after 3 out, every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Shining Gale (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Dereks (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Keen, held up, headway and hit 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Dr Hart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Fermat (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened after 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Kid Charlemagne (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Chased leading pair, led 3 out to 2 out, headed and weakened quickly approaching last, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Sovereign King (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Phoudamour (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened 4f out, 5th of 12, 27l behind Voice of Reason (11-9) at Warwick 2m nhf lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Pickamus (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, led before next, headed last, rallied flat, not quicken close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Sergheyev 8-11fav (10-12) Sweating, raced keenly, led, mistake 6th, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Berings Express (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Nov.
Arctic Magic (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 7th, pushed along from 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 15l behind Castlecrossings (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
