led to 4th, stayed chasing leader, led 11th, hit 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, chased winner until last, one pace flat
held up, mistake 7th, chasing leaders when mistake 11th, challenged next, weakened and blundered 2 out
prominent, hit 6th, outpaced under pressure bfore 11th, rallied from 4 out to lead approaching 2 out, idled under pressure flat, driven out
chased leaders, mistake 6th, challeneged 10th, weakened next, blundered 4 out, pulled before next
behind, mistake 6th, headway under pressure to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace in 4th when blundered last, weakened flat
keen hold led 4th, hit 9th, headed and hit 11th, chased leaders and blundered 2 out, rallied to chase winner last, hung left and no impression flat
A number of these were declared to run on Friday, so keep a close eye on the non-runner situation, but, with that said, the three that catch the eye are Figaro du Rocher, Kosmos Bleu and Nagano, with the vote going to Figaro du Rocher. Much as the selection is 15 pounds worse off with Nagano for having beaten him at Warwick three runs ago (Dangerousdanmagru looks held on that form), he won easily on that occasion and has run well from revised marks since. Nagano has to come into the equation, as does Kosmos Bleu, a winner at Newton Abbot in October, but who has run respectably from his upgraded mark. We feel that Laskari, Gazump, who has yet to build on his Cheltenham win in October, and Thieves' Glen have something to prove from their revised marks, while Glengarra remains a maiden. Finally, Premier Estate is another to consider, even though he has been raised two pounds for a fair Fontwell effort. Overall, though, we like the look of Figaro du Rocher.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 3-1fav Sett strong pace, headed 5th, led again 7th, joined 3 out, ridden and close up when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind L'Ange Au Ciel at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Feb.
Laskari (FR) 8-1 Pulled early and held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 35l behind Sleep Bal at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (C) gs in Feb.
Gazump (FR) 11-4 Led to 10th, chased leader to next, weakened quickly before 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Young Collier at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Thieves'glen 10-3fav Prominent, left second 2nd, led after 4 out, jumped left from 3 out, ridden 2 out, all out, won at Leicester 2m mdn chs (E) sft in Feb beating Squeeze by a hd, 11 ran.
Premier Estate (IRE) 22-1 Tracked leaders, some progress 9th, ridden and one pace after 4 out, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Mondul at Fontwell 2m 2f nov chs (B) gs in Feb.
Glengarra (IRE) 5-1 With leader, left in lead 4th, headed 7th, weakened after 10th, 4th of 8, well behind Ross Comm at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gf in Sept.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 8-1 Held up towards rear, headway 12th, chased leader 4 out, ridden 3 out, ran on from 2 out, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Osiris at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs (B) sft in Feb.
Nagano (FR) 2-1 Chased leaders, headway to track winner 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Figaro du Rocher at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
Dangerousdanmagru (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, mistake 1st, lost place 4th, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 20l behind Figaro du Rocher at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Jan.
