held up in 5th, closer tracking leaders 3rd, not much room and squeezed through between horses to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed close home
tracked winner, hit 9th, lost 2nd 4 out, outpaced and weakened home turn
raced keenly, led, joined 3 out, blundered headed next and lost 2nd, rallied gamely run-in to lead again close home
wore hood to post, raced keenly in close 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, every chance next, hung right under pressure approaching next, 2nd soon after 2 out, outpaced into 3rd final 100 yards
never fluent and jumped left, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 3rd, never on terms after, tailed off
Quinta Do Mar started favourite when fifth on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter in the autumn. That race has produced plenty of winners with Ben Pauling’s charge successful over hurdles next time. Any News has shown some ability over the larger obstacles but Herbiers was never travelling at Doncaster last month. Only beaten a neck at Huntingdon on his second start over fences, JAY JAY REILLY can go one better here with cheekpieces added as Name In Lights may need the experience today.
Herbiers (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Towards rear, hampered by faller 5 out, soon pushed along, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Haddex Des Obeaux (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Quinta Do Mar (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Never closer than mid-division, pushed along and struggling home turn, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Jay Jay Reilly (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Led and soon clear, not fluent and reduced lead 5th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching next, rallied and every chance flat, ran on, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Raffle Ticket (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Any News (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 12th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Stage Star (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Name In Lights (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd at 5th, every chance 3 out, ridden between last two, soon lost 2nd, weakened run-in, 4th of 7, 8l behind Parisencore (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.