made all, not fluent 4 out, soon clear, very easily
tracked winner, jumped left at times, pushed along 4 out, soon beaten
tracked winner, mistake 1st and 2nd, pushed along 6th, struggling in last before 4 out, no chance with winner but kept chasing 2nd until last
NonRunner
TREE OF LIBERTY had the misfortune to come up against the smart Saint Calvados at Newbury having made a winning start over fences at Ludlow. He faces nothing of that one’s calibre here and should return to winning ways. Cobra De Mai has only raced on good ground so far over fences but he’s won three out of six and handled soft and heavy going over hurdles. He makes more appeal than Chirico Vallis, who needs to brush up his jumping. Supporters of St Merryn will be praying for miracles.
Tree Of Liberty (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led until before 3rd (water) where not fluent, chased winner, hit 4 out, 3 lengths down and no impression when jumped left next, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Saint Calvados (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leading pair until 4th, fell 6th, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
St Merryn (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 3rd, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Jurby (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, rallied on outside last, went 4th and kept on flat, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Benatar (12-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
