Plenty with claims in a competitive contest but PLAYFUL SAINT thrives on heavy going and further progress is expected on the back of an emphatic win at Leicester. He’s preferred to stable companion Knickerbockerglory while Hacker Des Places could only manage fourth in this last year. Might I represents last year’s winning yard and has won on testing ground but recent winners Galice Macalo and Thor De Cerisy are upped in class and Lebowski makes more appeal. Jungle Jack beat Djelo at Haydock in November and drops back down in trip.
Might I (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 6th, took closer order before 3 out, ridden approaching next, held when badly hampered last, 8th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Botox Has (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Martator (FR) 16-1 (11-13) Pressed winner until led 2nd and then raced keenly, went clear soon after, reduced lead 3 out, headed turning in, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly before 2 out, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Love Envoi (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Hacker Des Places (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, shaken up and went 2nd 2 out, ridden run-in, no impression and well held by winner, 2nd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Highway One O Two (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Playful Saint (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, improved to lead soon after 3 out, clear next, pushed along last, eased flat, won at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Washington (11-12) by 12l, 9 ran.
Jungle Jack 15-8fav (12-0) Raced on inside, chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, led narrowly after 4 out until before next, well held 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Fine Casting (11-3) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Djelo (FR) 15-8fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 3 out, tracked leaders before next, plugging on in 4th when mistake last, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Hardy Du Seuil (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Lebowski (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Took keen hold, raced in second, led briefly 5th, ridden to lead 3 out, good jump last, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Kellahen (11-1) by 3l, 7 ran.
Knickerbockerglory (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Led, awkward and jumped left 5 out, not fluent 4 out and shaken up, ridden and faced challenge before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind No Risk Des Flos (11-3) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Galice Macalo (FR) 3-1fav (12-2) Led and jumped big 1st, narrowly headed before next, in front again but pressed from 3rd, went clear between last two, very easily, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Progressive (11-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
Teddy Blue (GER) 3-1jfav (10-11) Raced keenly tracked leader until lost 2nd and hit 3 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, hung left after and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind First Street (12-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Thor De Cerisy (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Led until 1st, chased leader, led 4th, clear from last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Zambezi Fix (11-10) by 4l, 7 ran.
