led until 11th, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden when slipped and pecked 12th, blundered 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, led 3 out, quickened clear after 2 out, comfortably
blundered and unseated rider 1st
held up, headway from 10th, went 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
blundered 2nd, always behind, tailed off when blundered 12th, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led 11th till 3 out, ridden and soon outpaced by winner, lost 2nd flat
held up, stumbled badly 3rd, lost touch 9th, pulled up before 11th
OR BLEU can make the most of this easier opportunity and get the better of Muhtenbar and Au Courant in a race that may not take much winning. Connections of Muhtenbar could have been forgiven for giving up on their gelding who failed to win in his first twenty starts over fences. Remarkably, he's turned that form on its head to win his last two starts and he could be dangerous to underestimate now that they've found the key to him. Au Courant is useful on his day but can't be viewed as a solid proposition having failed to complete in half of his starts since returning from a lengthy absence whilst none of the remainder make any appeal. Or Bleu has been placed with customary shrewdness by Philip Hobbs and has made steady progress through the ranks. He failed to land a blow in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate but was far from disgraced in finishing seventh. The prospect of quick ground raises a question but connections would surely not risk a promising chaser if they felt that he wouldn't handle it and Or Bleu rates the one to beat.
Muhtenbar 9-2 (11-4) Jumped well, made all, in command between last 2, stayed on strongly and never really challenged, won at Ascot 2m 1f nov stks (3) gd in Mar beating Divine Gift (11-4) by 10l, 6 ran.
Or Bleu (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, blundered 7th, mistake 10th, under pressure when hampered 4 out, weakened after next, 7th of 23, 32l behind Something Wells (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Au Courant (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, blundered 3rd, behind 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Chapoturgeon (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Keen tracking leading trio, close up when fell 11th, in a race won by Tarotino (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar, 4 ran.
Hill Forts Timmy 12-1 (11-7) Blundered 1st, chased leaders until lost place 8th, headway to chase leaders when hit 13th, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Picts Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Kings Rhythm 7-2 (12-0) Led to 14; stdly wknd, 3rd of 8, 32l behind Killnascully King (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp.
Manmoon (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Led until fell 8th, in a race won by Turkish Surprise (10-12) at Southwell 2m 5f nov stks (3) gd, 4 ran.
Merriott's Oscar (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 8th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Giles Cross (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
