jumped slightly right, led until 3 out, hard ridden to lead last, stayed on dourly, all out
ran in snatches, raced in 3rd, ridden approaching 14th, soon behind
mistake and unseated rider 1st
tracked winner, challenged from 16th, hit 4 out, led next, hard ridden and headed last, rallied run in, no extra close home
Villair needed every yard of the sharp three miles at Fakenham last time and should be better served by this stiffer test of stamina so gets the vote over Silver Birch and Surefast rated the main dangers. The selection struggled for much of the way at Fakenham and only got up close home. The softer ground and longer trip here should suit Charlie Mann's gelding and he is taken to follow up off just a 2lb higher mark. Colin Tinkler's Its Only Polite was a winner at Lingfield when last seen but is 4lbs higher now and his stable has been rather quiet of late so the son of Roselier may be best watched on his return. Surefast made a winning return at Exeter last month and has to be respected but this looks tougher and a bigger threat may come from Silver Birch. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looked useful in his first season over fences but the handicapper has taken no chances with him and Villair looks a safer proposition.
