held up tracking leading trio, 3rd approaching 12th, not fluent next, reminder after 14th, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden before next, no chance with winner from 2 out, finished tired
chased leader, led after 7th, headed 14th, chased winner until after 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, well beaten when blundered 2 out, finished tired
slight lead until before 7th, pressed leader, hit 11th, led again 14th, ridden and in command when mistake 2 out, kept on strongly
in rear, pushed along when blundered 10th and next, pulled up before 12th
chased leading pair, hit 11th, lost 3rd approaching next, weakened soon after 14th, tailed off
CLOUDY COPPER has leading claims on today's terms and recent form. He returned to action with a promising second on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter when finishing a distance clear of the rest and looks the one to beat in this. Leo Luna is next best on handicap ratings but is struggling to get round at the moment let alone win so Fourovakind may prove a bigger threat on his latest third at Chepstow. Romeo Americo is getting no nearer while Iconic Rose has been winning over hurdles of late but has plenty to find on her chasing debut.
Cloudy Copper (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in touch in rear, hampered 10th, soon went 3rd, not fluent 11th, chased winner before 2 out, ridden and edged left between last 2, not fluent last, no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Top Totti (10-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Fourovakind 3-1fav (11-11) Chased leading trio, not fluent 3rd, 3rd before 8th until 4 out, rallied into poor 2nd 3 out, driven and no impression before next, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Smiles For Miles (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
Leo Luna 33-1 (11-4) Blundered 1st, no chance when blundered badly 13th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Gevrey Chambertin (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Romeo Americo (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) In rear and in touch, went 2nd from the 4th until 3 out, left 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 26l behind Chris Pea Green (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Iconic Rose 9-1 (11-4) With leader, led when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure flat, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Foot The Bill (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
