not fluent 1st, made most, driven and hard pressed after 4 out, ridden between last 2, headed narrowly last, no extra flat
held up in 4th on outside, took closer order 6th, jumped left from 4 out, outpaced next, well held before 2 out
mostly tracked leader, hit 3rd, went left and lost place 8th, behind from 5 out, beaten when went left 3 out, soon eased, tailed off
tracked front pair, hampered 8th, not fluent 5 out, challenged next, ridden to lead narrowly last, headed flat, not pace of winner towards finish
Financier, a winning point-to-pointer, has shown very little under Rules while Indietir, four times a winner over hurdles in France, is having his first start for new connections having not raced since September 2017. Grey Diamond won a Perth handicap hurdle in September and will have benefited from his opening run over fences at Doncaster but Vado Forte, three times a winning hurdler, has made a few too many mistakes so far over fences. PAINT THE DREAM was a bit unlucky at Sandown in December before a superb effort in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Both runs were over 2m4f so the drop in trip doesn't look ideal but he is easily the form pick.
Financier 40-1 (11-2) Went left 1st, chased leaders, close up 6th, lost place 4 out, quickly pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Grey Diamond (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Raced wide tracking leaders, hit 8th, pushed along approaching 4 out, hung left under pressure weakened and no impression from next, left modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Maire Banrigh (11-8) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Indietir (FR) (10-13) 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Bonne Eleve (10-8) at Vichy 2m 3f sft in Aug.
Paint The Dream 20-1 (11-0) Led, headed 8th, gradually lost place, pecked slightly 3 out when looked well held in 5th, left 3rd when rallying 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Vado Forte (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leading pair, outpaced and no chance 2 out, just held on for well held 3rd, 3rd of 4, 13 1/4l behind Moonlighter (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.