in rear and tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from halfway, led 3 out, soon clear, easily
led, headed 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leader until halfway, weakened from 3 out
There are only three runners in this but it still looks tricky. Forest Bihan was second over course and distance after winning at Towcester but has a penalty to carry. He unseated his rider over hurdles at the last at Market Rasen in October in a race won by L’AIGLE ROYAL so it may be worth taking a chance that the Skelton entry takes to fences, though he probably needs further. Chidswell has yet to convince over fences but should now be approaching peak fitness.
Forest Bihan (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leading pair, went 2nd between last two, ridden and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Waiting Patiently (11-5) at Newcastle 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Chidswell (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 5th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Pistol Park (10-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
L'aigle Royal (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some headway on outside after 2 out, weakened before last, 9th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Call To Order (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
