chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd until 5th, went 2nd 7th, challenged 15th, led 3 out, ridden and holding 2nd final 75 yards
chased leader until 3rd, went 2nd 5th until 7th, not fluent 12th, slow 13th, outpaced 4 out, rallied after 3 out, challenged 2 out, held final 75 yards, kept on
led, not always fluent, headed 3 out, weakened next
jumped left, always last, mistake 3rd, slow next, behind 9th, tailed off
NonRunner
Wick Green’s sole victory under Rules came in a four-runner hunter chase while Marilyn Monroe only won a mares’ novices’ handicap at Wincanton and is penalised. CHAMPAGNE NOIR has hopefully had confidence restored having placed three times over hurdles since last over fences. He should win this if putting in a clear round.
Wick Green 50-1 (11-10) Prominent on outside, led 5th, not fluent and headed 4 out, weakening when mistake next, pulled up before 2 out, at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May.
Champagne Noir (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 5th until 7th, 3rd and held 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 14 1/4l behind Not At Present (12-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Marilyn Monroe (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) Led, extended advantage travelling strongly before 3 out, ridden before last, jumped left and bumped rival last, stayed on strongly, always doing enough, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating My Lady Grey (11-0) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Milesha (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 18, dist behind Project Mars (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Staple Head (IRE) 12-1 (12-3) Jumped right, led until 4th, close up 11th, mistake 14th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.