VENDREDI TROIS didn't win over hurdles but was making some progress before sent into handicap company for his debut over fences at Taunton in November. He jumped and stayed well and, though having an absence to overcome, looks capable of defying a 7lb rise in the weights. Bucking The Trend is slowly making his way back after a very long absence and is taking a slight drop in class while Muckle Roe has continued to run well since scoring at Worcester in October and is just 5lb higher. Drumshambo is the only course winner in the line-up though he's a very long way below the kind of form that saw him win a Listed handicap at Ascot in 2013 from a 24lb higher mark. Bears Rails ran poorly at Warwick following his Fakenham victory while Merchant Of Milan found very heavy ground to his liking at Warwick on New Year's Eve. Vice Et Vertu owes his high rating to his hurdles form and has shown nothing in three starts over fences.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Always in rear, pulled up 4 out, at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Led until 2nd, led 4th, headed before 8th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Bucking The Trend 12-1 (11-9) In touch, dropped to rear 6th, headway 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Beforeall (11-11) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Muckle Roe (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 3rd 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, ridden to take 2nd between last 2, mistake last, kept on, always held, 2nd of 7, 5l behind King Of Glory (10-10) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Drumshambo (USA) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost touch 12th, headway and close up again before 5 out, chased leader next, lost 2nd 2 out, no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 8, 25 1/2l behind Berea Boru (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Led until jumped right 1st, prominent, not fluent 7th, led again3 out, clear before last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating He's A Bully (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Alanjou (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd when mistake 12th, every chance 3 out, mistake next, 3rd and weakening before last, 3rd of 5, dist behind Halo Moon (12-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Qulinton (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, weakened before 6 out, pulled up, at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Bears Rails 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 10th, no chance with winner from 4 out, one pace, closing on 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 26 1/4l behind As De Fer (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Merchant Of Milan 5-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 2 out, stayed on after last, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 21l behind Daveron (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Thoonavolla (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Truckers Highway (11-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Raduis Bleu (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 12th, lost place 16th, well beaten 4 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 32 1/4l behind Still Believing (11-11) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
