soon behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 5 out
made most, headed when mistake and lost 2nd 4 out, soon weakened
with leaders, led going well before 4 out, soon clear unchallenged
in touch, disputed lead 5th, ridden and lost place after 5 out, soon beaten
not fluent, in touch, ridden 10th, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, outpaced 10th, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
held up, headway 10th, chased winner 4 out, soon no impression, tired and lost 2nd near finish
Loulou Nivernais has been a revelation since the turn of the year and a fourth win looks on the cards, Green Ideal and Tommy Spar look the best alternatives. Brian Ellison's gelding not only defied a weight hike last time, but won much more easily than his previous race. Obviously he is improving all the time and the handicapper may have to sit and suffer for the time being. Green Ideal returned to form last time with an excellent second behind Little Big Horse. with the stable flying he has to be rated a big danger. Peter Bowen's Tommy Spar has risen in the weights following some excellent efforts last summer, but he did run well on his return and should be in the shake up. Best of the rest could be Kids Inheritance, but we can't oppose Loulou Nivernais in his current mood and he is a confident choice.
Fair Prospect 5-1jt-fav (10-2) Held up and mistakes, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Undeniable 10-1 (10-3) Led to 10th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 45l behind Nozic (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 11-4 (10-11) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, led again 10th, drew clear from 2 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb beating Supreme Catch (11-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Kids Inheritance (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off halfway, 11th of 12, well behind Whereareyounow (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Green Ideal 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led 10th, headed approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Little Big Horse (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Welcome To Unos 9-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway 11th, weakened next, 6th of 7, 45l behind Little Big Horse (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Tom Fruit 15-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, steady headway 4 out, left with every chance after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 22l behind Classic Capers (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Tommy Spar 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort 13th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, well behind Lucifer Bleu (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
