held up in touch, headway to lead 5th, ridden and headed last, soon outpaced by winner
led, headed after 2nd, led again next, headed 5th, ridden, every chance, hit 2 out, weakened flat
close up, led after 2nd, headed next, jumped slow 6th, soon weakened
held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway 4 out, weakening when hit next
held up in rear, headway 6th, travelling well 2 out, led last comfortable
pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden and struggling after 6th
pulled hard, prominent, weakened 6th
Refinement can continue her winning ways at the expense of Raffaello and Mith Hill, with Patrixprial hoping for some place money at least. Refinement has won her last five outings, while Raffaello lines up in search of a hat-trick so something has to give, and in receipt of seven-pounds from her main rival, we fancy that Jonjo O'Neill's mare will come out on top. Winner of the Champion Bumper at Punchestown last April, she is unbeaten in four subsequent starts over hurdles, and although the trainer reckons that she is not ready for the hurly burly of Cheltenham just yet, it is hard to fault her form so far. It is interesting that she lines up in this as well, as Jonjo had stated that he would keep her to mares' only events for the time being, so we can only assume that she is still thriving at present. Raffaelo is another that will not be going to Cheltenham as he is being aimed at the EBF Final at Sandown in March. The Nicholls stable has endured a downturn over the past few days which is a bit worrying, and in any case he has to give weight to the selection. Mith Hill won four times on the Flat for Ed Dunlop and managed to open his account over timber at Hereford 10 days ago. He has more to do though, as does Patrixprial, and this should be another visit to the winner's enclosure for Refinement.
Raffaello (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, challenged and led on bit approaching 2 out, soon ridden, pushed clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Hill Forts Timmy (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mith Hill 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 2 out, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs beating Vaughan (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Mylord Collonges (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Jumped left throughout, prominent, led 2nd, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 42l behind Nero West (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Patrixprial 11-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last, 4th of 7, 26l behind Rimsky (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Refinement (IRE) 5-6fav (11-11) Raced wide, tracked leaders, headway 4th, led well before 2 out, jumped left last, driven and kept on strongly flat, won at Sandown 2m mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Jan beating Pay Attention (11-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Water Pistol 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 14, 44l behind Jack The Giant (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
All For A Reason (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Jumped right 1st, held up, headway after 7th, close up 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 18, 49l behind Regents Walk (11-0) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Dec '04.
Orange Street 66-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, prominent, chased winner briefly 2 out, weakened well before last, 5th of 12, 32l behind Doc Row (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
