BRINKLEY was beaten only a length over 2m4f at Punchestown in November. Runner-up The Bosses Oscar has subsequently won and the grey is fancied to make a winning start for new connections having recently joined David Pipe’s yard. Frisson Collonges has a shout on last month’s narrow-margin defeat over track and trip while Fugitives Drift showed some ability at Newbury last year on his hurdling bow and looks a likely improver along with Lingfield runner-up Destinee Royale. The Jitterbug should finish closer today while point-to-point winner Sending Love debuts under Rules for Paul Nicholl’s and Flemings is a newcomer to note.
Bretney (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden over 5f out, no impression, 10th of 15, dist behind Mont Segur (11-0) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Brinkley (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden entering straight, 3rd at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 22, 1l behind Blue Sari (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov.
Downton Fox 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Steal A March (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) hvy in Dec.
Enchancia (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, mistake 6th, led before normal 3 out, headed before omitted 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Oscar Academy (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Etat Major Aulmes (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 14, dist behind Shishkin (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Flemings (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of How Is Things.
Frisson Collonges (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, sent 5 lengths clear before last, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Steal A March (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) hvy in Dec.
Fugitives Drift (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden into 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 13, 5 3/4l behind Get In The Queue (11-10) at Newbury 2m (2) gs in Mar.
Sending Love (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Mainly 5th, cls en 4th 1/2way, trvl well & ld 2out, asserted bef last, sow, easily, won at Kirkistown 3m mdn gs in Feb beating Dandolo Du Gite (11-11) by 5l, 6 ran.
The Jitterbug 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, still plenty to do after 3 out, plugged on in 4th between last 2, never on terms, 4th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Republican (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Cousin Rita 10-1 (11-7) (h) hdwy bypassing 11; wknd 15; wl bhnd when pu bef bypassing 2 out, at Umberleigh 3m mdn gd in Jun.
Destinee Royale (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Made most, hit 4th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Easter Gold (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
