raced keen in tch, hmp 3 out, rdn 2 out, led flat, drv out
in tch, left 2nd 3 out, rdn and wknd appr next
prom, jnd ldr 12th, led 14th, hdd flat, drv and styd on
led and set std pace, jnd 12th, hdd 14th, e.c wh fell 3 out
Only four go here, which could make it into a tactical affair. Talented amateur Christian Williams could be the key here, because he takes 5lb off the back of the progressive Mothers Help, who has won her last two starts, including an impressive success over course and distance in November. Raised 15lbs in total for those wins, she still looks capable of further improvement. Though she wouldn't want it to get too soft, with question marks over all three of her opponents she is taken to complete the hat-trick. Echo Du Lac has failed to complete on two of his last three starts, including when a faller here in November. However, sandwiched in between was a win that suggests he is not without a chance if he can improve his jumping. Red Guard, joint top weight with the selection, has run creditably in defeat off his current mark in his two previous races, but he still looks exposed and would ideally prefer faster ground. The likely pace-setter here is Cloudy Creek, who did a similar job at Taunton in December, when running well for a long way before weakening. A month's break after that run should put him spot on and improvement is expected.
