tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until next, challenged 10th, led 2 out, clear after last, stayed on
led until 4th, led before 5th, headed 2 out, soon beaten
prominent, led 4th, headed before next, blundered 6th, went 2nd after 7th until 10th, weakened bypassing omitted 3 out
always last, behind 5th
NonRunner
This looks a tight handicap but Arian had every chance when on a hat-trick last time at Cheltenham when coming to grief. THE BAY BIRCH is on a losing run but she showed she was no back number in a competitive handicap at Kempton last month and it’s a bonus that she’s been dropped a further pound since. Kapga De Lily is on a roll and her stable is seeking back-to-back victories in this but she’ll need to make another big leap forward having been raised a further 10lb. Little Light does best in small fields so is not out of this but Deja Vue needs more after well-beaten seconds at Fontwell and Exeter.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until before 8th, 2nd briefly next, went 2nd 11th, led next, pushed clear before 3 out, ridden and headed next, plugged on in 3rd, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind Smarty Wild (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Deja Vue (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led, hit 3rd, hampered by loose horse 4 out, headed before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, kept on to take 2nd flat, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Momella (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) hvy in Dec.
Kapga De Lily (FR) 7-4jfav (12-0) Prominent, led after 6th, headed next, led 8th, clear from 5 out, jumped right from 4 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Annie Day (10-10) by 35l, 5 ran.
Little Light (FR) 8-1 (10-1) Held up in last, took keen hold, closed on outside 4th, steadied next, went 4th 4 out until 3 out, no extra, last of 5, 27 1/2l behind Ibleo (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Arian (IRE) 5-1 (12-3) Raced keenly on inside, chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until after 11th, challenged from 3 out, led after final bend, headed when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.