held up, headway 5th, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after 3 out and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 6th, jumped left 7th and 3 out, ridden out
led to 6th, chased winner after, pushed along approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, mistake 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, pushed along after 5th, weakened 3 out
Milton Des Bieffes is capable of throwing in the odd stinker, however we will put our faith in him, ahead of Falkenauge and Thieves Glen. The multiple-winning pointer won a weak race at Warwick over hurdles 11 days ago, and if he jumps okay over these bigger obstacles today, he could be capable of going in again. This mark doesn't look too harsh and so we will side with him. A danger could be the ex-Irish Falkenauge who makes his chasing debut today. He represents a powerful stable, however he looks on a high enough mark today and with jumping certainly not assured (based on his hurdling performances) we will take him on today. Thieves Glen has slipped to what looks a winning mark, however he doesn't appear to be the most straight-forward of animals so cannot be truly fancied. His trainer doesn't send many jumping however, so any sustained support may be worth heeding. Foxmeade Dancer returns from a long break but could get involved on ground that he will appreciate more than most, but he will need to be match fit so with that in mind we will take him on, and side with Milton Des Bieffes as our idea of the winner.
Falkenauge (GER) 13-8fav (10-7) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, 4th and no impression when mistake last, 4th of 11, 13l behind Magnesium (11-11) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Dec.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lead 3rd, not fluent 3 out, kept on from last, won at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec beating Madam Harriet (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Thieves'glen 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 11th, weakening when hampered 3 out, 4th of 17, 20l behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Brigadier du Bois (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and bumped 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 17, 44l behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Moscow Gold (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by The Hardy Boy (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Thievery 16-1 (10-13) In touch, weakening when hampered 3 out, 11th of 17, well behind Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Foxmeade Dancer 3-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden and no impression 3 out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind River Amora (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Jo's Sale (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Always behind, 12th of 13, 28l behind Dorneys Well (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Star Galaxy (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden and lost touch 7th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
