held up, ridden approaching 9th, stayed on from 3 out, led last, driven out
held up, hit 7th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd and ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, hit 4 out, headway next, hit 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on final 75 yards
chased clear leader from 3rd, ridden to close on leader from 4 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace
led and set good pace, soon clear, ridden after 3 out, headed and hit last, no extra
Oceanos Des Obeaux is interesting but we'd rather side with a horse on the up so we'll side with Bring Me Sunshine; support for Tighe Caster on his first run for a new stable would be of interest. Oceanos Des Obeaux impressed when beating Gods Token on his chase debut but the wheels have since come off to some extent, albeit in better company. It could just be that he was flying a bit high and we'll see a different horse in this company but he could hardly be said to be thrown in on his handicap bow. There's a doubt about Allumee handling the ground, Key Phil hasn't won for a long time but isn't ruled out whilst Tighe Caster and Brave Villa have a bit to prove at present The selection has been raised by 10lbs for a wide margin win at Chepstow in a valuable contest. The form of that race is open to question so it's debateable as to whether he deserves the hike and he's rarely run two races alike in the past. He's still relatively inexperienced so we can't be too harsh on him but there are serious reservations, however, Bring Me Sunshine still appeals as the likeliest winner.
Oceanos des Obeaux (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leading pair, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, eased run-in, last of 4, well behind Big Buck's (11-1) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 5 out, led 2 out, clear last, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs beating Its Crucial (10-0) by 13l, 8 ran.
Allumee 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, joined winner 8th, ridden after 3 out, ran on strongly flat, not reach winner, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Bleu Superbe (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Dec.
Key Phil (FR) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, effort 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 18l behind Khasab (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Tighe Caster 16-1 (11-11) Held up, always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Comber (10-6) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Brave Villa (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed after 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Cadoulitique (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
