held up, headway 14th, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, weakened 3 out
hung right throughout, held up, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 4 out to chase leaders, jumped right, led 2 out, ridden out
tracked leader, weakening when mistake 5 out
in touch and keen, mistake 12th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, hampered last
tracked leaders, blundered 13th and weakened
held up, headway to join leader 13th, ridden 4 out, held in 3rd when left 2nd last
led, ridden 14th, edged left 3 out, headed 2 out and fell last
in touch, ridden 14th, weakened 4 out, behind when hampered last
A tentative vote is given to Petitjean with Potts Of Magic and Thistlecraft two obvious dangers. Supporters of the selection will have to forgive his poor performance at Kempton and his odds on defeat over hurdles prior to that. However, if we delve a little deeper, things begin to look more positive; he's shown his best form at Wincanton, a flat right-handed track not too dissimilar to this one, and wasn't disgraced when fancied for a hugely competitive Cheltenham handicap won by Knowhere in October. He goes well fresh and doesn't look too badly handicapped. Thistlecraft has been in good form and should be suited by both the track and the company. He looks sure to run his race as does Potts Of Magic who has been a shade unlucky not to win one of his last two starts; he may ideally prefer a stiffer test. Course specialist Spring Lover can never be ruled out here and I wouldn't be too quick to dispense with the other four runners either. Randolph O'Brien is perhaps the most interesting of the quartet as he's an improved performer this term and could well progress for being stepped back up in trip. Thistlecraft looks pretty solid but there are plenty of reasons to back or ignore most of this field, we'll take a chance with Petitjean.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-1) Close up, chased leader 8th, led 14th, ridden 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind The Dark Lord (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Petitjean 15-2 (11-0) Mistakes towards rear, blundered 7th, beaten when hit 3 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Yardbird (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Spring Lover (FR) 7-1 (10-5) Led until 6th, led next until after 8th, weakened 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nacarat (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Lindsay (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up, blundered 12th, headway 4 out, chased winner after last, kept on, always held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mokum (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Randolph O'Brien (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Led, hit 4th, headed 6th, ridden to chase winner from 3 out, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Chopneyev (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Potts of Magic 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway 10th, chased winner 19th, every chance 2 out, mistake last, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Hello Bud (10-12) at Hereford 3m 7f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Paxford Jack 25-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, went second from 10th until after last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Mokum (10-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Cassia Heights 9-1 (10-7) Never a factor, 7th of 10, 12l behind Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
