held up, ridden along after 8th, driven into 3rd soon after 9th, no impression from 3 out, beaten when mistake last
held up, brief effort 8th, weakened after next, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along after 9th, beaten when jumped right last 3
led to 5th, chased leaders, regained lead soon after 9th, in command from 3 out, stayed on well
prominent, chased winner from soon after 9th, ridden and tried to close flat, always held
took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 5th, headed and weakened soon after 9th, tailed off
always in rear, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
always behind, ridden 6th, soon struggling and tailed off after 9th
Although he is unexposed over fences the feeling is that Ceoperk may be high enough in the weights now and instead we will side with MAGOT DE GRUGY ahead of the chasing debutants Spirit Of Man and Ouragan Lagrange. Rated 101, the selection is now 4lbs lower in the weights than when winning here in December 2007. That was his most recent win so it has been a long time between drinks however he has plenty in his favour today and has been shaping as if a win is imminent. Tacinja wasn¿t beaten far last time and this ex-Irish mare looks sure to break her duck over fences sooner rather than later, whilst Safari Adventures represents a stable who are often underestimated but the gelding needs to improve. Killard Point is dropped in trip in the hope of sparking him back to life; he doesn¿t look badly handicapped if taking to it today. The most interesting runners are the join top-weights. Spirit Of Man has some good hurdles form this season and this son of Saddlers' Hall looks the type to take to a fence. The same applies to Ouragan Lagrange who only has one win to his name but he has some good bumper form and hurdles runs under his belt and if taking to fences will be a danger to all despite having a bit to find on hurdles ratings. A tricky contest for punters but Magot De Grugy can add another course success.
Spirit of Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up last, lost touch 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 30l behind James de Vassy (10-7) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Ouragan Lagrange (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd approaching last, held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
Ceoperk (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Soon towards rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, never nearer, 6th of 11, 17l behind De Boitron (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Killard Point (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Raced wide, prominent, led 9th, headed 11th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, 41l behind Phardessa (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 5-1jt-fav (11-7) Prominent, ridden after 4 out, regained 2nd when hit last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Marsh Court (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 11th, lost ground 14th, no danger after, 6th of 18, 31l behind Kitski (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Tacinja (GER) 14-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Rate of Knots (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Roughing It (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, 7th and no chance when blundered badly and pulled up at the last in race won by Valentia Island (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
