raced wide, led 1st to 7th, tracked leaders, led again 9th to next, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in touch, headway 10th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out
in touch, lost place 7th, no danger after
led to 1st, tracked leaders, led again 10th, drew clear from 2 out, easily
held up in touch, hit 8th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
with leader, led 7th to 9th, chased leaders, ridden and no impression from 2 out
Loulou Nivernais can land the hat-trick here at the main expense of Spring Lover and It's Bertie. The selection won quite cosily at Uttoxeter last time when beating Cetti's Warbler. He is progressive, goes on the ground and he can get his head in front again. Spring Lover is another mud lover but the reality is that he is handicapped up to his best at present and for that reason is opposed. It's Bertie ran better than the bare form would suggest here last time and he is arguably better over this longer trip so he should go well. Supreme Catch is a course and distance winner and could go well at a price, but Loulou Nivernais is on a roll and can score again.
Supreme Catch (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 18, 27l behind Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Spring Lover (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Led, headed 10th, ridden 15th, hit 2 out, all out when edging right flat and hampered close home, no extra, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Nonantais (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 5th until after 10th, regained lead after 3 out, headed before last, stayed on under pressure flat to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft beating Triple Mint (10-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 4-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged approaching last, ridden flat, led close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Cetti's Warbler (11-5) by a nk, 9 ran.
It's Bertie 11-8fav (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Eborarry (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Sailor A'Hoy 40-1 (10-11) Held up, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by It's Definite (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Pardini (USA) 10-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed 13th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on again towards finish, 4th of 8, 22l behind Phareight Dei (10-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
