jumped well, tracked leading pair, 2nd 7th, led travelling well 3 out, soon clear, very easily
led until mistake and headed 3 out, soon no chance with very easy winner, mistake last
chased leader until mistake 7th, chased leading pair, outpaced and no chance from 4 out
always detached, tailed off
NonRunner
ALTIOR can’t be realistically opposed as last season’s Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ winner has made a smooth transition to fences, quickly going clear in a Grade 1 at Sandown earlier this month when the headstrong Marracudja was last of the four runners. Stephanie Frances has been making hay in mares’ Listed races over hurdles and fences but she’s not got the class of the selection. It’s impossible to have any confidence in Zigger Zagger and Mrsrobin in this grade.
Altior (IRE) 2-7fav (11-2) Jumped well, tracked leading pair, reached for 4th, closed approaching 3 out, 2nd approaching 2 out, just over 1 length down last, led soon after last, quickened readily clear run-in, impressive, won at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec beating Charbel (11-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Marracudja (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Raced freely, led, hit 7th (water), hit 3 out and headed, lost 2nd approaching next, soon outpaced, weakened into 4th towards finish, last of 4, 21 3/4l behind Altior (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Stephanie Frances (IRE) 4-6fav (11-1) Chased leaders, always travelling well, led on bit after 2 out, very easily, hard held, won at Bangor 2m 1f lst (1) gs in Nov beating Presenting Lisa (11-1) by 9l, 4 ran.
Mrsrobin (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, jumped right next, headed 11th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Bonnet's Vino (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Zigger Zagger (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, mistake 8th, chance when went left 3 out, blundered and lost 2nd next, chased leading pair but not recover, weakened between last two, 5th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Keppel Isle (10-0) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
