not always fluent in last, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, no chance with winner 3 out, tried to close on 2nd from last
jumped well, made all, well clear from 3 out, very easily
chased winner throughout, ridden and no impression before 3 out, mistake last
BRISTOL DE MAI could get nowhere near Ar Mad in a Grade 1 at Sandown earlier this month but remains a novice with plenty of potential, especially when the ground is riding soft. He should get back to winning ways here with the mare needing to improve on well-beaten seconds at Ascot and Huntingdon to make a race of it. Join The Clan tackles fences for the first time and was better over extreme distances over hurdles so may find this on the sharp side.
Join The Clan (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up, not always fluent, closed when hampered 2 out, no impression before last, 5th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Broxbourne (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Bristol De Mai (FR) Evensfav (10-10) Tracked winner, closed before 3 out, readily held next, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Ar Mad (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Bon Chic (IRE) 11-8 (11-0) Chased winner, not fluent 4 out, pushed along when not fluent 2 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 4, 31l behind Kalane (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.