held up in last pair, closer on outside 4th, weakened quickly before 3 out where fell
tracked leader 1st until after 4 out, chased leaders, weakened between last 2, no chance with 1st 2
pushed along at times, chased leader until not fluent 1st, handy 3rd, 2nd again after 4 out until soon after next, weakened before 2 out
jumped slickly, led, joined when stumbled 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching the last, stayed on run-in, always held
waited with in rear, headway approaching 3 out, close 2nd soon after 3 out, upsides 2 out, led approaching and not fluent last, driven hung left and stayed on strongly run-in
THYME HILL (NAP) has looked the real deal in victories at Chepstow and Cheltenham. They came in Grade 2 company so this is not as much as a step up for Philip Hobbs’ rising star as it is for some of the others. Enrilo was easy to back in a Grade 2 at Sandown after flopping in a handicap at Ludlow but there was no fluke about his win and that form gives him a chance against the selection. The Cashel Man turned in a handicap into a procession here a month ago so is also worth considering but this looks a tall order for Exeter scorer Eclair Surf and also Ffos Las maiden winner Stick With Bill.
Eclair Surf (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Jumped well, made all, went clear before 3 out, shaken up before the last, very easily, unchallenged, won at Exeter 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov beating Kozier (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Enrilo (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along to press leader 2 out, led soon after last, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating House Island (11-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Stick With Bill (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Made all, reminders when idling before 4 out, soon pushed along, mistake when challenged 2 out, not fluent last, ran on well (2 hurdles omitted), won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov beating Fado Des Brosses (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
The Cashel Man (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Made all, came clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Mr Pumblechook (10-1) by 10l, 16 ran.
Thyme Hill 11-8fav (11-5) In touch, headway to lead narrowly 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well to assert clear final 150 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Nov beating Champagne Well (11-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
