led until 2nd, lost place 5th, pushed along 8th, weakened 4 out, modest 4th
chased leaders, slow 4 out, not fluent next, rallied 2 out, every chance when mistake last, no extra flat
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed when not fluent 8th, led again approaching 11th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, joined leader 5th, led 8th, headed approaching 11th, slow next, led again before 2 out, challenged last, stayed on strongly (2 fences ommited)
Fergal Mael Duin folded tamely here last month once headed and may struggle to give weight to ARBEO. Diana Grissell's charge has staged something of a revival this winter and, after winning over course and distance in January, wasn't disgraced in better company next time at Sandown - he's still nicely treated on his best form. Fredo is gradually rediscovering his form but this could be an insufficient test of stamina and Safran De Cotte is also better over trips in excess of 3m, though he's another who is looking well handicapped. Take The Mick won at Warwick in January but was then beaten when favourite at Towcester and has gone up 8lb since.
Take The Mick 9-4fav (12-2) Close up, blundered 13th, chased winner from last, always well held, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Newton Thistle (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Fergal Mael Duin 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, led 12th, propped on landing next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Catching On (11-1) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Arbeo (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until before 12th, outpaced before 3 out, no impression on front pair after, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 9l behind No Duffer (11-8) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Fredo (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) In touch in 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Achimota (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jan.
Tothemoonandback (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 7th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Azure Fly (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Safran De Cotte (FR) 11-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd from next, led 10th, headed 11th, not fluent 12th, mistake 14th, 3rd and no impression on winner from 16th, closed on 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Take The Mick (10-13) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
