last, in touch, smooth headway to go 3rd 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, hung left, soon one pace
led, blundered badly 4th, dropped to rear, lost touch from 8th, behind when pulled up 2 out
chased leader, chased winner 5th until 2 out, ridden and soon weakened
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened next
not fluent, in touch, led 5th, made rest, ridden 2 out, stayed on
Royals Darling is preferred to Modicum and Wee Forbees in an interesting but tricky little heat. The selection is fitted with blinkers for the first time over obstacles following a most disappointing display at Chepstow. He won in headgear on the Flat in Germany and it could be that the return to racing on a Flat track will also be in his favour. He certainly has the form to land this. So too does Desert Quest but he's a well known rogue who could find this company too competitive for his liking. Wee Forbees produced a decent frontrunning performance at Catterick last time but drops back in trip again which is a concern; he held an entry for a Grade 2 race later in the week and isn't underestimated. Caraman wasn't disgraced behind Leslingtaylor and Tidal Bay last time whilst the pick of Modicum's efforts saw him run second to Hobbs Hill in October. He had shown considerable promise prior to disappointing at Musselburgh but we'll stick with Royals Darling.
Desert Quest (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, mid-division, moved closer approaching 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 46l behind Osana (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Dec.
Royals Darling (GER) 10-11fav (11-8) Led, headed after 1st, tracked winner to 5th, reminders next, chased winner again after 7th, beaten from 3 out, 2nd of 4, 17l behind Presenting Copper (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nov chs (3) hvy.
Wee Forbees (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Led from 2nd, clear 3 out, kept on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan beating BallaBriggs (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Caraman (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Leslingtaylor (11-6) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (2) gd.
Modicum (USA) 4-6fav (10-9) Towards rear, jumped big 3 and 4, hit 6 and 7, ridden from 4 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 13l behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.