Bob Casey found the combination of a longer trip and heavy ground too much to cope with at Fontwell last time and should do better here, while Timpo has to go on the short-list having finished second over C&D in November. But Venetia Williams may hold the key to this with the mare FLEUR DE VASSY preferred to stablemate Rileyev. The latter may have needed his two runs so far this season but Harry Challoner's mount is less exposed over fences and races over her optimum trip for the first time over the larger obstacles today. Pacha D'Oudairies is another for whom the step up in distance will suit.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 17-2 (11-12) Held up behind in touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 9l behind Silver Dollars (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Timpo (FR) 11-2 (11-6) Held up, soon in touch, ridden approaching 12th, chased winner 15th, edged right after last, unable to make an impression, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Azulada Bay (11-8) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Killowenabbey (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Raced in rear, hard driven before 6th, never a factor, 8th of 10, well behind Just Beware (10-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Rileyev (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leading trio, disputing 3rd after 5th, went 3rd before 4 out until after next, weakened to 4th and mistake 2 out, 4th of 5, 15l behind Manmoon (11-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.
Roc De Guye (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Always in ridden and struggling after 7th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Rimini (11-10) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Fleur de Vassy 3-1 (11-12) Always prominent, mistake 1st, jumped left 7th, led 3 out, headed next, weakened after last, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Marias Rock (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Corredor Sun (USA) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair, slow 5th, reminders 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 7th of 9, 37l behind Walk Tall (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Bob Casey (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Prominent, chased leader 3rd, weakened 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Abbey Dore (10-5) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Bringewood Fox 12-1 (11-9) Held up tracking leaders, mistake 7th, soon ridden along, weakened 14th, blundered next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Ukrainian Star (11-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
One More Dinar 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Phar Again (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 10 ran.
Brimley 66-1 (10-11) Led, hit 7th, soon headed, reminders and last after next, lost touch after 10th, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Pearlysteps (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chase (4) sft.
No More Whispers (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Led 1st, driven 3 out, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened, tailed off when lost 3rd last, 4th of 8, well behind Dancing Daffodil (10-1) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
