held up last, not fluent 6th, progress to chase leading pair after 10th, ridden after next, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd flat
in touch, mistake 7th, weakened after 10th
chased winner until after 9th, ridden next, weakened before 11th, took moderate 3rd flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, pressed winner after 9th, ridden 3 out, beaten soon after last
made all, jumped right throughout, pressed from 4 out, ridden, stayed on well to draw clear after last
Count Kristo is marginally preferred to Cadoulitique with Island Flyer the most interesting of the remainder. The selection has yet to match his form over hurdles but is handicapped accordingly and has had just four starts over fences. He ran his best race to date over course and distance on the last of them and may well be able to go one better from just a 3lb higher mark. Cadoulitique is the one to beat following his win at Leicester where he scored readily. The handicapper took note though and dished out an 11lb rise and that could turn out to be on the harsh side as the race may not have taken a great deal of winning; on the plus side, this doesn't look a great deal stronger. Different Class was a long way behind in that Leicester race and Hydromatic has shaped as though in need of further. Of more interest is Island Flyer from the in-form Tom George yard who has qualified for his mark over hurdles, he may well be able to show improved form in this sphere and the market should guide. He's plenty to prove though and we'll take Count Kristo to get the better of Cadoulitique.
Cadoulitique (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, headway 4 out, led after 2 out, soon ridden, hit last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Brave Villa (11-5) by 9l, 9 ran.
Different Class (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Cadoulitique (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Hydromatic (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Theatre Diva (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
Count Kristo 7-2fav (11-4) Mistake 10th, ridden to lead between last 2, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Major Euro (10-9) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Island Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) In touch, headway approaching 6th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 21, 34l behind Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
