chased leaders in 4th, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on in modest 3rd before next, no chance with leading duo
held up last, good headway into 3rd before 3 out, weakened quickly before next
made all, set good pace and soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, hit next, went clear again 4 out, looked vulnerable between last 2, over 2 lengths ahead good jump and in command last, kept on gamely, unchallenged
hit 1st, tracked leaders on inside, tracked winner after next until before 3rd, 2nd again before 4 out, mistake next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and tried to close between last 2, over 2 lengths down and no impression last
chased winner until after 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd again before next until before 4 out, weakened before next, plugged on
Floressa is running in this on her own merits but she will likely help set the race up for stablemate EPATANTE, impressive again in the Fighting Fifth on her reappearance. Last season’s Champion Hurdle winner also won this 12 months ago, quickening clear of Silver Streak and Ballyandy, and it’s hard to see either of the placed horses reversing that form even though both have been in good form already this season. Diego Du Charmil is held on the form book by both the selection and Silver Streak.
Ballyandy 14-1 (11-6) Led early, pressed leader, led after 2 out, headed just after omitted last, lost 2nd final 100 yards, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Song For Someone (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, pushed along and headed soon after 2 out, well held before last, shaken up and lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Silver Streak (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not much room bypassing omitted last, switched right and again not much room flat, stayed on well, just denied, 2nd of 10, shd behind Song For Someone (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Epatante (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Close up, hampered 1st, left 2nd briefly at next, tracked leader 2out, quickened to lead flat, impressive, won at Newcastle 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Sceau Royal (11-7) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Floressa (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Jumped well, made all, clear when reached for last, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov beating The Pink'n (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
